How to play

How to play the Dm11 chord on guitar

Spice up your playing with this jazzy chord, featured in hits like "Valerie."

The Dm11 chord

The Dm11 chord, pronounced "D minor eleventh," is a rich and complex chord that adds depth to musical compositions. Notable for its melancholic and jazzy sound, the Dm11 chord is widely used in genres such as jazz, blues, and neo-soul. It often appears in songs that require a sophisticated harmonic structure, creating an introspective and emotionally evocative atmosphere.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common Dm11 chord. We've also included other versions below.

Dm11 guitar chord diagram

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Finger placement for Dm11 chord

The most popular way to play a Dm11 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 5th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Dm11 chord on your guitar:

  1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 5th fret.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start from the 5th (A) string and strum downwards, hitting all the strings except the 6th (low E) string.

Dm11 guitar chord with finger positions

How to play an easy Dm11 chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Dm11 chord, try playing a regular Dm chord (x57765) and adding your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string. This adds the 11th note to the chord without requiring a barre chord shape.

How to play a Dm11 bar chord

Playing the Dm11 chord as a barre chord can make it easier to transition to and from other barre chords, and it frees up your fingers to add embellishments or melody notes.

Here's how to play a Dm11 barre chord:

  1. Place your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  5. Strum all six strings from the 5th fret.

Common Dm11 chord progressions

The Dm11 chord adds a jazzy, sophisticated flavor to progressions, often evoking a melancholic or introspective emotional atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring Dm11 include:

  • i - iv - VII - III - vi (Dm11 - Gm7 - C7 - F∆ - Bø7)
  • i - VII - VI - VII (Dm11 - C7 - B♭∆ - C7) Used in "Stella by Starlight"
  • i - iv - VII - III - vi - ii - V - i (Dm11 - Gm7 - C7 - F∆ - Bø7 - Em7♭5 - A7 - Dm11) Used in "Round Midnight"
  • i - VI - ii - V (Dm11 - B♭∆ - Em7♭5 - A7)
  • i - v - i - IV (Dm11 - Am7 - Dm11 - G7)

Drills to master the Dm11 chord

To master the Dm11 chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, try playing the notes in pairs, such as D-F, F-A, A-C, C-E, and E-G. This will help you transition smoothly between the notes.

Next, practice playing the notes in ascending and descending order, starting with D and working your way up to G, then back down. As you become more confident, try playing the notes in different sequences and rhythms to develop your dexterity and familiarity with the chord.

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Songs that feature the Dm11 chord

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Dm11 chord.

  1. Flamenco Sketches by Miles Davis (Dm11, Am11, Bm11, Cm11, F#m11)
  2. Rainy Night in Georgia by Brook Benton (Dm11, G7, C, Gm7, C7, F, A7sus4, Fmaj7)
  3. Bittersweet by Lianne La Havas (Dm11, Cmaj7, Am7)
  4. Who Are You by Tom Misch (Dm11, Am7, Em7, Bm7)
  5. I'm a Fool to Want You by Billie Holiday (Dm11, A7b9, Gm, Dm6, Bb13, A7)
  6. Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon (Dm11, Dm7, G7, Gm7, C7, Am7, D7, Bb/D, G/D)
  7. Song for My Father by Horace Silver (Dm11, F9sus4, F9, Bb13sus4, Bbmaj9)
  8. Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock (Dm11, Ebm11, Em11, Fm11)
  9. All Blues by Miles Davis (Dm11, Gm11, Am11)
  10. Tutu by Miles Davis (Dm11, Am11, F/G, Bbmaj7#11)

How a guitar teacher can help

If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.

You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.