D Minor

key

At a Glance

Formula:: D natural-minor
Notes:: D, E, F, G, A, A#, C

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Piano

Fretboard

What It Is

The natural minor key built on D, using the notes of the D natural minor scale.

How It Functions

A minor-key tonal center; its diatonic chords follow the standard i-ii°-III-iv-v-VI-VII pattern.

Diatonic Chords

Degree	Roman Numeral	Function
1	i	tonic
2	ii°	predominant
3	III	tonic
4	iv	predominant
5	v	dominant
6	VI	tonic
7	VII	dominant

Scales & Modes in This Key

F Ionian
G Dorian
A Phrygian
A# Lydian
C Mixolydian
D Aeolian
E Locrian

Common Progressions

Minor Primary Progression (i-iv-v)
Harmonic Minor Cadential Progression (i-iv-V)
Natural Minor Loop (i-VI-III-VII)
Andalusian Cadence (i-VII-VI-V)

Mood & Character

Bright, happy, and resolved - the default 'positive' sound in Western music, and the emotional baseline every other scale's color gets compared against.

Real Song Examples

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