Video:How to Play the D-Minor Chord
with Omar SaadThe D-minor chord is one that often proves a little difficult for those just beginning to play guitar. Here are instructions for making the D-minor chord a little easier.
Transcript:How to Play the D-Minor Chord
Hi, I'm Omar Saad, here for About.com, and today we're going to learn how to play the D-minor chord.D-Minor Chord Can Be Difficult
For any beginner on the guitar, chords are likely to be the big hurdle to master as they learn how to play the instrument. Many chords will be picked up rather easily, but others, due the infrequency of their use or required finger dexterity, will prove to be tougher to play. Oftentimes, it's the D-minor that falls into that latter category. As detailed on About.com's Guitar site, the D-minor is one of the chords that give beginners the most trouble.Difference Between D-Minor and D-Major
Unlike the D-major, which is one of the more commonly played and less demanding chords, the D-minor doesn't get used nearly as often. While it can be more challenging, the interesting thing is that the D-minor chord is pretty similar to its major counterpart, with only one note differing. To play the D-minor, the third fret on the second string and the second fret on the third string are played, just like in the D-major. The only difference is that instead of also playing the second fret on the first string, in the minor, you'll need to play the first fret on the first string.Playing the D-Minor Chord
Let's take a look at this one more time in more detail. First, place your index finger on the first string of the first fret; then place your middle finger on the third string of the second fret; then place your ring finger on the second string of the third fret; start from the fourth string and strum each of the strings below in quick succession. Make sure not to play either the 6th or the 5th strings. Playing the guitar can be a challenging, but rewarding hobby. All the frustration of trying to learn that tough chord or scale will turn into pure enjoyment once you finally get it down. Just remember to keep practicing and that tough chord will become second nature in no time.Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.