6. The 7 Key Chords - D String

The D String

• This is the D string of a guitar with all the notes labeled.

The C Major Scale

• This is the C major scale on a piano with all seven notes labeled.

The C Major Scale on the D String

• This is the C major scale on the D string of a guitar.

Major Chords

• Highlight notes 1, 4 and 5 in red because these are the notes that correspond with major chords.

• This is the D string major chord shape.

C Major Chord

• Find the root note C on the D string, then use the D string major chord shape to play the C major chord.

F Major Chord

• Find the root note F on the D string, then use the D string major chord shape to play the F major chord.

G Major Chord

• Find the root note G on the D string, then use the D string major chord shape to play the G major chord.

Use Major Chords

• Now, let's use all three of the major chords we've learned to play a section of "What I Like About You" by The Romantics.

Strumming pattern:

C G C F C G C F

What I like about you, you hold me tight

Minor Chords

• Highlight notes 2, 3 and 6 in blue because these are the notes that correspond with minor chords.

• This is the D string minor chord shape.

D Minor Chord

• Find the root note D on the D string, then use the D string minor chord shape to play the D minor chord.

E Minor Chord

• Find the root note E on the D string, then use the D string minor chord shape to play the E minor chord.

A Minor Chord

• Find the root note A on the D string, then use the D string minor chord shape to play the A minor chord.

Use Major + Minor Chords

• Now, let's use the minor chords we've learned in addition to the major chords to play a section of "Let it Be" by the Beatles.

C G Am F

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Diminished Chord

• Highlight the note 7 because this note corresponds with the diminished chord.

• This is the D string diminished chord shape.

B Diminished Chord

• Find the root note B on the D string, then use the D string diminished chord shape to play the B diminished chord.

Use Major + Minor + Diminished Chords

• Now, let's use the diminished chord we've learned in addition to the major and minor chords to play a section of "This Love" by Maroon 5.

Em Am

I was so high I did not recognize

Dm Bdim

the fire burning in her eyes, the chaos that controlled my mind

Use the 7 Key Chords on the D String to Create

• Use the 7 key chords on the D string to create a four-chord progression. For example, you can modify the 1-6-4-5 progression by swapping out a chord to build a new progression.

Test

• Play the 7 key chords in the key of C on the D string

Context

• 12 NOTES ➜ CIRCLE OF FIFTHS ➜ PENTATONIC SCALE ➜ MAJOR SCALE ➜ 7 KEY CHORDS ➜ KEY ➜ PLAY THE 7 KEY CHORDS

Summary

• There are three types of key chords: major, minor, and diminished.
• Each of these three chords follows an D string shape.
• By memorizing these three shapes, you can play all seven key chords on the D string.
• Later, I'll show you how to play these seven key chords in all 12 keys.
  • 3 Chord Shapes → 7 Key Chords × 12 Keys = 84 Chords

Goal Achieved: You now know the 7 key chords on the D string.