D minor scale on tenor banjo
D natural minor has one flat, Bb. Its notes are D, E, F, G, A, Bb and C, returning to D.
By TradTabPublished Updated
Hear the scale, played on the banjo voice
The notes
The chart uses GDAE tuning and reaches fret 5. Each line is a string or course; each number is a fret. A zero means an open string. Start slowly and move your hand when a reach feels awkward. Other fingerings are possible. Read the tab with a worked example.
The chords that go with it
These chords use notes from D minor. Choose among them by listening to the tune. A note can belong to the scale and still sound tense against a particular chord. Phrase endings and strong beats help you hear where a chord settles. The tenor banjo chord chart has common shapes to try.
This is the natural minor form. A tune can use raised notes or change mode within a phrase. Follow the accidentals and the setting you are learning.
Practise the scale with a phrase
- Check your GDAE tuning. Play up the chart slowly, then back down, keeping each note even.
- Choose a short phrase from a tune below or from one you know. Find its notes in the chart and listen for where the phrase comes to rest.
- Repeat the phrase at a comfortable speed. Add the next phrase only when the rhythm and string crossings feel steady.
Tunes in D minor
46 library settings are labelled Dm. Here are 12 different titles in alphabetical order. Each opens notation, GDAE tab, playback and the ABC source.Check the melody and accidentals as you play; the key label describes the saved setting.
Questions about D minor
D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D. This GDAE tab chart uses frets up to 5. The note names repeat at the octave; the tab shows one way to play them.
Dm, Am, C, Bb, F use notes from this scale. Each tune needs its own accompaniment. Choose chords that support the melody and phrase endings.
A chord name alone does not identify the tune's scale. Listen to the melody and its key or mode. Notes outside the chord can add tension even when they belong to the scale, so follow the phrase and listen to the accompaniment.
The library has 46 settings labelled Dm out of 2705 settings. It includes historical collections and approved player contributions. Several settings may belong to the same tune, and a recorded key label may not describe every phrase.
Theory references: Open Music Theory on scales and modes andnotes outside a chord. The chart and practice steps are TradTab’s own examples.