Dbm Ukulele Chord
Dbm on ukulele is 1-4-0-4: put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string, your ring finger on the 4th fret of the C string, your little finger on the 4th fret of the A string and leave the E string open. It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. You will also see it written as C#m, C sharp minor.
- Notes: Db, E and Ab
- Frets: 1 4 0 4
- Tuning: g C E A
Dbm ukulele chord details
- Type
- Minor triad
- Also known as
- C#m, or Db minor
- Formula
- 1 b3 5
- Intervals
- Db (root), E (minor 3rd), Ab (perfect 5th)
- Notes
- Db, E and Ab
- Frets
- 1 4 0 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Dbm chord
Here is the Dbm chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string.
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the C string.
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the A string.
- Leave the E string open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play Dbm?
Yes: play it as x-4-4-4. Barre the 4th fret across the C, E and A strings with your index finger and skip the g string. It uses one finger instead of three. You give up the g string, but every note of the chord is still there, so it works in any song. Use it while the main shape is still settling, then go back to the full voicing for the bigger sound.
What notes are in the Dbm chord?
The Dbm chord is built from three notes: Db, E and Ab (the root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th). That flattened third is what gives a minor chord its softer, more wistful feel next to a bright major. Curious which chords sit together in a song? See which chords share a key.
Ukulele songs that use the Dbm chord
The Dbm chord belongs to A Major (the iii), E Major (the vi), B Major (the ii), F♯ Minor (the v), C♯ Minor (the i) and G♯ Minor (the iv). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once Dbm feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Db7, Dbmaj7, Db and Dbsus4. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.