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D-flat Minor Chord
The D-flat Minor Chord is D-flat, F-flat, and A-flat. The F-flat is the white key E, which is why this chord is more often written as C-sharp minor. The shape is black-white-black, and the middle finger reaches back toward the front of the keys to find the E, so let's keep the thumb and fifth finger relaxed on the black keys while it does.
How to play the D-flat Minor Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the D-flat Minor Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The D-flat Minor Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the D♭ minor chord are stacked in thirds with D♭ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| D-flat Minor Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | D♭ F♭ A♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | D♭m |
The D-flat Minor Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (F♭) becomes the bottom note, and the root (D♭) jumps up to the top.
| D-flat Minor Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | F♭ A♭ D♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | D♭m6 or D♭m/F♭ |
The D-flat Minor Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (A♭) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (F♭) goes to the top.
| D-flat Minor Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | A♭ D♭ F♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | D♭m6/4 or D♭m/A♭ |
D-flat Minor Chord theory and function
A minor chord has the lowered third, which gives it a quieter, darker color. In a major key the minor chords play supporting roles. In a minor key the minor tonic chord is home.
The common keys that use this chord are sharp keys, so it is usually written as C♯ minor, and the spelling follows the key. The C♯ minor chord is the supertonic (ii) in B major, the mediant (iii) in A major, and the submediant (vi) in E major. In minor keys, it is the tonic (i) in C♯ minor, the subdominant (iv) in G♯ minor, and the dominant (v) in F♯ minor.
The place a student meets a minor chord most often is ii, leading to V and then home. In B major that is C♯m – F♯ – B. In C♯ minor the everyday pattern is i – iv – V – i: C♯m – F♯m – G♯ – C♯m, where the major V comes from the raised seventh. A minor chord is also the relative minor of the major chord a minor third above it, so a piece can move between the two and change color without leaving the key.
Other chords built on D-flat
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