Chapter 20: Diatonic 7th Chords on the D-String. 4 More Shapes to Triple Your Advanced Options!

You've got the E and A strings sounding fantastic with these new 7th chords. The system is working, and now we just keep expanding on it.

We're going to take that same idea and install it on the D-string. We're not learning a new system; we're just applying the one we know to a new place. You're about to learn four more simple, moveable shapes. With these, you'll triple your arsenal of sophisticated 7th chords. The knowledge is just building on itself, and you're gaining an amazing amount of flexibility that will make your playing so much more musical.

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

Let's dive in.

The System: Four New Upgraded Shapes for the D-String

Here's our next set. Four more shapes, but they represent the same four advanced emotional tools we've been using, just rebuilt for the D-string.

The D-String Major 7 Shape. Your "jazzy," "sophisticated," and "dreamy" chord for this position.

The D-String Dominant 7 Shape. The ultimate "tension" chord that demands resolution.

The D-String Minor 7 Shape. Your "cool," "soulful," or "introspective" chord.

The D-String Half-Diminished 7 Shape. Your high-tension, "unstable" chord for maximum drama.

The system remains identical: Find the root note of the chord you want on the D-string, and apply the correct upgraded shape. That's it.

Putting the System to Work: Building C Major 7th Chords on the D-String

You know the 7th chord pattern by now: Major 7, minor 7, minor 7, Major 7, Dominant 7, minor 7, half-diminished 7. Now we just apply our four new shapes to the right root notes on the D-string.

The Major 7s (Imaj7, IVmaj7): Cmaj7, Fmaj7

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

Apply The D-String Major 7 Shape to each one.

You've just built the sophisticated major 7th chords from a third position.

The Dominant 7 (V7): G7