D-Shape Barre/Movable Guitar Chords

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The D-shape major barre chord

Let's start with the basic major D-shape. Don't play anything at the moment, just observe (click 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 the D-shape barre/movable chord 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!

-----Side note----------

Know all the root notes on the D string? If not, these fretboard lessons will help.

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The D-shape minor barre chord

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

Working those fingers

Guitar Example - Download Jam Track

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The D-shape has its own library of chord variations to experiment with. Essentially, this shape draws from its equivalent major scale shape. It's this major scale that allows us to draw the tones we need to build the chord.

See, the major scale has different "shapes" too. We pull the chord shapes from their related scale shapes. This is something that really needs to be learned separately (if you're really interested, you can use this lesson on building your own chords).

However, for reference, below are some of the most common D-shape 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!

Suspended D-shape Barre/Movable 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.

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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!

Go To The Final Lesson of the Series >