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D Shape Barre Chords

In parts 1-4 of this guitar barre chords series, we were introduced to E shape, A shape, C shape and G shape barre/movable chord forms. We built these based on the foundation shapes of the open position chords: E, A, C and G (and their major and minor variations).

This lesson, we're looking at the final chord form in the series - D shape barre chords (or "movable chord shape" - it doesn't always require a barred finger!). Just as the other shapes relate to their open position equivalent, so too does the D shape build on the open D chord we learn when we first pick up the guitar.

D shape chords offer higher voicings than the other shapes, because you're only using the highest 4 strings on your guitar. As we'll see in the coming lessons, you can variate between low and high voicings to make your music more dynamic.

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The basic D shape barre chords

Let's start with the basic major D shape. Don't play anything at the moment, just observe (click the diagram to hear)...

So, just like in the first four lessons, we can see how the open position shape simply gets shifted up the fretboard. We can position this shape at any fret depending on the key we're playing in. To do this, we need to establish where the main root note of this shape lies...

The lowest root note for D shape barre chords is on the D string. Therefore, if we know the fretboard notes along the D string, we'll know that positioning that shape with the D string root note at fret 6 would make it... Ab (A flat) major. Ab is the note at fret 6 on the D string!

Now, with the D-shape, you can barre below the lowest root note, on the A string. That note on the A string would be a lower voiced 5th (more on what that means another time). The main thing to know is that including that extra note in the chord won't ruin it. You may prefer the chord without that lower A string 5th, in which case you need to avoid picking or strumming it. You decide!

Know all the root notes on the D string? If not, spend some time studying fretboard theory. With the right tools, it's not as boring as it sounds!

Just like above, we're going to refer back to the open position D chord for its minor chord shape (click diagram to hear)...

Again, we simply shift that shape up the fretboard to the desired fret/key.

We'll also look at more D-shape chord variations in a bit.

Fingering D shape barre chords

The basic major D shape from above isn't strictly a "barre chord" because your index finger is only required to fret the root note, rather than create the "barre" across 2 or 3 strings at once. However, it's good to get into the habit of barring that index finger anyway, because you'll be able to apply pull offs and hammer ons. The barred index finger, across the top 4 strings (D, G, B, e) will be able to "catch" the pull off and allow you to create intricate phrases around the chord shape...

And the basic minor shape...

D shape barre chord exercise

If you've mastered the other four chord shapes from the previous lessons, the physical demands of fingering these movable chords should prove less of a problem.

Try the exercise below, where we change from D shape chords to open position chords. At first it'll feel awkward, but as you should now realise, the more you work at it, the more that muscle memory sets in and the more "second nature" it becomes!

Example - Download Jam Track

What other chords can you play using the D shape?

The D shape has its own library of chord variations to experiment with.

For reference, below are some of the most common D form chord variations. Remember you can also apply these to the original open position shape - they work the same way, as they use the same shape, from the same D shape chord family.

Have fun!

Major D Shape
Barre/Movable Chords

Major (e.g. Ab)

Dominant 7 (e.g. Ab7)

Major 7 (e.g. Abmaj7)

Add 6 (e.g. Abadd6)

Minor D Shape
Barre/Movable Chords

Minor (e.g. Abm)

Minor 7 (e.g. Abm7)

Minor Major 7 (e.g. AbmM7)

Suspended D Shape Barre Chords

This is where the major or minor 3rd is replaced with the 4th/11th or 2nd/9th from the major scale - more on this in the separate chord theory lessons. They tend to be used as tension chords because of their "unresolved" feeling within a progression.

Sus 4 (e.g. Absus4)

7 Sus 4 (e.g. Ab7sus4)

Sus 2 (e.g. Absus2)

Don't be afraid to experiment with this shape. Use that barre/root string as the foundation for the chord, and simply add/remove fingers to the proceeding frets (as far as you can stretch in some cases). You're sure to find some unique sounding chord voicings. This is how I learned - far more rewarding than relying a chord chart.

Where next?

Well, we've learned the 5 main barre/movable chord shapes! Now it's time to look at how they all work together as part of the fretboard tapestry. In the next lesson in this series, we're going to look at chord relationships - how these 5 chord shapes relate to one another and how you can map their relationships on the fretboard.

The progress we're making here is tremendous, and soon you'll realise just how little you need to rely on parrot-fashion learning and finally ditch that restrictive guitar chord chart for good!

Barre Chords: The Big Picture >

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