Chapter 13: The 7 Diatonic Chords - D String. 3 More Shapes to Triple Your Toolkit.

You're doing an amazing job! You've already built a solid foundation on the E-string and then doubled your options on the A-string. Now, let's continue exploring the fretboard together. We're not learning any new theory here; we're just taking the system we already know and applying it to a new string. You'll learn three more simple, movable shapes that will let you play every chord in the key of C with its root on the D-string.

Every time we do this, your creative palette just gets bigger and bigger. You're building a vocabulary of chords that will help you play anything you can imagine.

9 Shapes → 7 Diatonic Chords × 12 Keys × 3 Voicings = 252 Chord Options

Let's keep the momentum going!

Our System: Three New Shapes for the D-String

Here we go again with our simple framework. Three new shapes that give us those same three emotional flavors, this time starting from the D-string.

• The D-String Major Shape: This is our happy, strong, and resolved chord for this spot on the neck.
• The D-String Minor Shape: This one creates that sad, serious, or thoughtful vibe.
• The D-String Diminished Shape: And this is our go-to for creating a feeling of tension or suspense.

The process is exactly the same: find the root note of the chord you want on the D-string, and then use the shape that matches its feel. It's that simple.

Putting It Into Practice: Building C Major on the D-String

You know the pattern by heart now: Major, minor, minor, Major, Major, minor, diminished. Let's place our three new shapes on the right root notes along the D-string.

The Majors (I, IV, V): C, F, G

Find C (10th fret), F (3rd fret), and G (5th fret) color-coded in red on the D-string.

Now, apply the D-String Major Shape to each of those notes.

Awesome! You've just unlocked a third way to play all the major chords in the key.

The Minors (ii, iii, vi): Dm, Em, Am