What chord is this?

[markheath]

I recently recorded a friend's song whose chords are based mainly around Am, Dm, E, but one of the chords has the following notes: D A B F. I assume this is some kind of variation on Dm, but what is it called? (the guitar fingering is X X 0 2 0 1)

[JumpingJackFlash]

I recently recorded a friend's song whose chords are based mainly around Am, Dm, E, but one of the chords has the following notes: D A B F. I assume this is some kind of variation on Dm, but what is it called? (the guitar fingering is X X 0 2 0 1)

It is most likely a half-diminished seventh on B. If the D is the lowest sounding note, the chord is in first inversion. Quite common in A minor, usually followed by chord V.

[Sendy]

I'd guess it was a Dm with an added major 6th. So that's Dm-add6 or something? It's the one that sounds like *plays the chord*

[markheath]

thanks, two choices already Jumping Jack would you notate that as Dm-dim7 ?

If it helps to hear the chord in context, its the second chord in the intro to this song https://soundcloud.com/mark-heath1/suffering-servant

[JumpingJackFlash]

Jumping Jack would you notate that as Dm-dim7 ?

No, I would notate it as Bm7(b5), or possibly Bø.
If D is the bass note, it could be written Bm7(b5)/D.

My post on Scales, Modes and Chords might be helpful.

[sjm]

I'd guess it was a Dm with an added major 6th. So that's Dm-add6 or something? It's the one that sounds like *plays the chord*

Just Dm6 will do. Off the top of my head, Elanor Rigby uses a minor sixth chord, and I've always seen it notated as 'm6' (and the major version is just a '6' chord).

[icantdub]

I'd guess it was a Dm with an added major 6th. So that's Dm-add6 or something? It's the one that sounds like *plays the chord*

Yeah like sjm said it's just Dm6, since it's 1-b3-5-6, the add is for when you skip notes in between (Dm add9, there's no 7th ie it's not Dm9 f.ex).

[Sendy]

Thanks for the correction. I'm terrible at naming/theorizing these chords even though I use them ALL the time.

[codec_spurt]

I recently recorded a friend's song whose chords are based mainly around Am, Dm, E, but one of the chords has the following notes: D A B F. I assume this is some kind of variation on Dm, but what is it called? (the guitar fingering is X X 0 2 0 1)

It's a:

Dm6 D Minor 6th
Asus2sus4#5/D A/D Suspended 2nd Suspended 4th Sharp 5th
Bm7b5/D B/D Minor 7th Flat 5th
F6b5/D F/D 6th Flat 5th

http://jguitar.com/chordname?string5=1& ... &string0=x


Yeah, I think I'll go for the D minor 6th.
Bit snappier than: Oh can you just quickly play an Asus2sus4#5/D A/D Suspended 2nd Suspended 4th Sharp 5th in passing there before the A Major?

Might not get punched so hard on the nose.

[jancivil]

I recently recorded a friend's song whose chords are based mainly around Am, Dm, E, but one of the chords has the following notes: D A B F. I assume this is some kind of variation on Dm, but what is it called? (the guitar fingering is X X 0 2 0 1)

It is most likely a half-diminished seventh on B. If the D is the lowest sounding note, the chord is in first inversion. Quite common in A minor, usually followed by chord V.

But it isn't. you've made an assumption based in a practice that this doesn't belong to. hearing it is key, and we find that this is a iv chord, 'Dm add 6' is what I would tend to say, 'Dm6' is typical. In folk/pop guitar, there isn't typically the kind of voice leading to bear out any iiø6/5 - V or something.

& 'm6'? m denotes a minor triad, here with a major sixth added to.