C F G G7 Dm Em Am Cadd9 Cadd2 C7 D7 E7 Gsus4 A7 Fm Cm E C6 B7 D A Eb Gm C5 Cmaj7 Emaj7 Amaj7 C9 Am7 Asus4 Csus4 All of January's Chord Videos & Chords

Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm

Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 5th is Dm. The 'm' is pronounced 'minor'.

Root Position Dm

More Info Below

Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm Lesson Video

Harmonic Function for Dm

The Harmonic Function of a chord is simply how a chord is being used in context with other chords in a song or chord progression.

Here are the most common harmonic functions for today's chord.

Dm is a Full Diatonic , chord in the common Major key(s) of: C (II) , F (VI) , and Bb (III)

Dm is a Full Diatonic chord in the common Minor key(s) of: Dm (I) , Gm (IV)

Harmonic Analysis, Scales, and Modes

All harmonic and scale analysis utilizes Roman Numerals related to the major of the current tonality (key) ( I II II IV V VII VII , the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of the major scale).

Technically, the modes are numbered the same ( I II II IV V VII VII , the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of the major scale) but for comparison they can be numbered relative to major scale of the same root. Example: C Mixolydian mode ( I II II IV V bVII VII , the 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 )

Open Position Chords

Today's chord, Dm is an Open Position chord.

Open Position Chords are any chord in the first four frets that include at least one open string.

Triads

Today's chord, Dm is a triad.

Triads • A triad is a three-note chord, traditionally major, minor, diminished, or augmented. With contemporary triads including sus and add chords.

A real key to learning these triads is really and finally Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard . Memorizing the root of each triad for transposing to other keys. And, then the Chord Spelling and its Numeric Chord Formula (A Guide to Advanced Chord Series - Chord Building Chart) .

Todays' open position Dm chord, has two embedded major triads. One with the root on string one and other with the root on string four.

Learn a New Chord Each Day!!!

This Learn a New Chord Each Day!!! series of lessons was created and published in 2013 (13 yrs ago) and has been added to an expanded ever since. 2020 brought videos to the show. 2023 introduced more Harmonic information.

For a further exploration of this chord and its movable forms visit the
Movable Ukulele Chords Lesson Series page.

Dm is a Core Chord

A core chord is a basic chord that other chords can be derived from – creating new chords from your known chords. Your ever expanding set of core chords creates a solid foundation for playing music on ukulele or any instrument capable of playing chords. There are just far too many chord shapes to memorize all the possibilities. Some chords you can simply create on the fly as needed based on known information and how chords work.

Chord Type(s): Minor

Chord Categories: Open Position Triad

Understanding a Chord Diagram

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord, as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns. They are almost entirely learned by shape and sound–hopefully, the chord names. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation used in TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text-only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003, indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position, D7 , indicated as 2020 .

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally, Standard Music Notation , TAB , in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for Dm are:

D F A

The chord tones are the 1 b3 5 scale degrees of the parent D Major Scale .

Recommended Fingering(s)

Although additional fingerings are possible for many chords, fingering for any given chord depends on the science of how our fingers work and on the harmonic context the chord is being used in—what was the previous chord, and what's the next chord? The goal is to play all the notes right behind the frets when possible. Remember, longer fingers can reach the lower strings better, and finger two can stack on finger three, and finger three can stack on finger four.

Although you can play any chord with any finger as long as it's yours, the recommended fingering for Dm is:

Recommended Fingering

2 3 1 0

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s Dm chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for Dm:

3 4 2 0

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers that can reach the lower strings four and three will go a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret take less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency; lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four, and finger two can overlap finger three a little, allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember, the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers–not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines, but is a critical member of the team. There are musicial situations where you might use your thumb but they mainly rhythmic / strumming reasons.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

All chords can be constructed based on their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for Dm are: D F A

Dm is the 1 b3 5 of the D Major Scale based on the root (D) of the chord.

Next Steps

After memorizing today'ss Dm chord and when you able able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.

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Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Videos

Related Videos for Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm.

Ukulele Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm

Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 5th******** is Dm. The 'm' is pronounced 'minor'.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm.

Chord Shapes and Learning `Ukulele Chords

Pick up any chord dictionary, and one thought that should go through your mind is - TOO MANY CHORDS There is now way to memorize all those shapes. It would be better off learning how they came up with all those shapes. Most chord dictionaries are also just like pages transposed to all possible keys.

Naming Chords on `Ukulele

A Chord can have alternate names based on how it is being used. A chord's function is an important determining factor in naming a chord. So unless you know the harmonic function of a given chord, you might not be able to accurately name it.

Movable `Ukulele Chords

A series of weekly ukulele lessons originally presented throughout 2007 on movable ukulele chords as the "Ukulele Chord of The Week Series". Based on the Ukulele Chords book by Curt Sheller (me). It takes the open position chords and shows the movable form and the variations.

Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation

"TAB" or "Tablature", is an alternate form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. TAB is sort of a secret language between guitar players and ukulele players. Although a shortcut to getting started it actually serves to alienate one from the rest of the music world.

Standard Music Notation

Music notation or musical notation refers to various systems of writing music. Diverse systems of musical notation have developed in various cultures. In fact, many cultures simply do not notate their music in any form.

Transposing Individual `Ukulele Chords

"Transposition" is the process of moving a note, chord, scale or any musical passage from one key to another key. All music can be transposed, from a single note to a complex musical score. This lesson deals with transposing chords on ukulele and transposing chords.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for Chord a Day, January 5th - Dm.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords

A Guide to Ukulele Chords - covers the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. Plus, an introduction to movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, jazz chords and more.

A Guide to Ukulele Chords, 2nd Edition

A Guide to Ukulele Chords, Second Edition is designed as a guide to ukulele chords. Covering the basic ukulele chords that ALL ukulele players SHOULD know. A Guide to Ukulele Chords covers movable chord forms, rock chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and includes an introduction to 4-part, a.k.a jazz chords and more...

Basic Ukulele Chord Chart - C Tuning: G C E A, Low or High G

Basic Ukulele Chord Chart - C Tuning: G C E A, Low or High G.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

These are Books & Reference Charts that apply to a majority of all lessons on LearningUkulele.com—Learning Ukulele with Curt.

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard in C tuning .

Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Book: Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think. Book: Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A), A4

Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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