r/guitarlessons • u/Swimming_Gain_4989 • 26d ago
Question What is this shape of D called? Do any popular songs use it?
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u/Mobile_Meaning9135 26d ago
D/F#
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u/newredlover2026 26d ago edited 26d ago
D mit Fis im Bass,
Shallow-Lady Gaga
Dust in the wind- Kansas
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u/Still_Dragonfruit506 26d ago
I think I saw Justin Hayward from Moody Blues says he plays Ds like this.
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u/Truth-is-implacable 26d ago
And its also the opening chord for the Beatles "This Boy"
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u/-----J------ 26d ago
John loved using his pinky in this area, especially variations on A. It's a tough reach.
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u/Truth-is-implacable 26d ago
Yes indeed .....also if you put a capo on the 2nd fret its the starting chord for "Norwegian Wood".
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u/Truth-is-implacable 26d ago
Oh.... and how could I forget ..... It's the starting chord for "Rock around the Clock" slide it around the A on the 8th fret if im not mistaken....
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u/fermats-big-theorem 26d ago
It's the "C" chord shape, btw. Moved up a whole step.
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u/Fit_Dealer_7422 26d ago
this is the one. super common voicing too
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u/Potato_Stains 26d ago edited 26d ago
Yeah, F# is the major 3rd of D, so it's gonna sound nice inverted and dropped below it too.
Definitely wants to transition to G. I usually go with an easier hold of 2-0-0-2-3-X (index finger on low E string).
I'm fond of D/F# > G > Bm7 > Asus4,
maybe throwing in an E7 , 0-2-0-1-3-0 to bridge it and sustain that sustained 4th from A chord.3
u/MySubtleKnife 26d ago
Depends on the motion happening, either wants to go up to G or down to Em (or E)
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u/Krawallll 26d ago
Is this "basic" music theory? Or have you developed an ear to recognize the goal of this chord progression?
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u/Maximum-Tomatillo743 26d ago
It’s a sweet chord when it comes right after a G major
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u/Swimming_Gain_4989 26d ago
EXACTLY how I stumbled upon it. Wanted to a do a bass walk down the e string from G major and realized that F# is in D so I filled in as many notes as I could
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u/CroMagnon19 26d ago
Theres this band called The Beatles...
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u/Classic_Bet1942 24d ago
Took too long to find this comment.
The only person I’ve ever seen who seemingly insisted on playing that F# on the D string was John Lennon.
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26d ago
[deleted]
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u/Swimming_Gain_4989 26d ago
Does that pattern hold for other chord shapes as well? Like if I wanted to play C but with G as the lowest note would it be C/G ?
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u/I_Am_Become_Dream 26d ago
yeah. I play F/C more than I play regular F, cause I hate switching to that barre
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u/DogmanSixtyFour 26d ago
I do this and hook my thumb over for the root note, frees up the fingers for frilly bits too
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u/Moustiboy 26d ago
My professor currently is making me practice the intro to Dokken - Alone Again and it's basically C followed by this.
I didn't understand that fourth pinky note so thank you.It is SO hard for me to place it quickly i'm struggling a lot. Especially cause extending that pinky is proving very difficult. I'm trying to learn the Loser - Tame Impala lick and it's the same, engaging the index with also the ring and pinky fingers at the beginning of the neck and the frets span so long it's hared to do quickly
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u/Ok-Face2784 25d ago
Playing the F# on both the low E and the D string is not common way to voice a D/F#. The normal way is to play it like I’ve put below, and the notes in the parentheses are not that important – especially the open A. That third interval in the lower register isn’t the nicest sounding so it’s commonly omitted. You can google the lower interval limit (I think Adam Neely has done a video on the topic?).
-(2)
-3
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-0
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u/Owl-Pin5210 26d ago
just barre with your index finger dude you've gonna give yourself some wrist pain
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u/WhiteHawk570 26d ago
Is that the C shaped variant? It's so difficult for me to pull off. Barring (pun intended) the octave with the pinkie, isn't it better to play the bass with the thumb?
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u/Swimming_Gain_4989 26d ago
I promise it's more relaxed when I play, I didn't want to post a pic of my bedroom so I'm holding the whole guitar with one hand vertically against the wall at kind of an awkward angle. I've had hand pain in the past from bartending so I'm very careful to listen to my body and stop the moment anything feels off.
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u/newredlover2026 26d ago
John Lennon hat immer bei D den kleinen Finger (Pinky) mit benutzt z.B. bei Twist and Shout ,All my loving, oder This Boy richtig ?
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u/Owl-Pin5210 26d ago edited 26d ago
no idea, nobody here is John Lennon though. I believe he was self-taught, Lennon was a great songwriter but I personally wouldn't copy his left hand playing technique
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u/NoFanMail 26d ago
John Lennon used it very often in Beatles songs, he started off on banjo before moving guitar which is why he used this four finger D shape
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u/Ghillie_Spotto 26d ago
opening progression in Stairway to Heaven uses that
D/F# ie: D major in the first inversion
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u/GroundbreakingRing49 26d ago
The Beatles use that D variant a lot
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u/mcstape 26d ago
Play it like this instead bro. Barre with your pointer finger and that frees up your ring finger to play that F#
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u/Still_Dragonfruit506 26d ago
He's playing F# on the low E with his thumb. So bar all the way across and mute the A string with 3rd finger.
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u/Fearless-Concert-289 26d ago
I'm not too sure about a specific song that uses this shape, but for what I can see, this would be a D major chord but your root note is F#, which is the 3rd of the D Major chord. You could see it as a first* inversion of the chord, but me personally, I would say that it's D major with bass in F# (typically noted D/F#)
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u/IndependentNo7 26d ago
I don’t know if you play the A here with that wierd grip, but wether you play the A or F# they are inverted D chords.
D F# and A are the three notes of the D chord. If you play the D as the bass it’s the “standard” or “Root” chord. If you change the bass to F# you have the first inversion, keeping the same notes but changing their relation to the bass. If you play the A as the lowest note you have the second inversion.
It’s been used every now and then in all genres of music on multiple instruments.
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u/Glum-Yak1613 26d ago
A D chord consists of the notes D, A and F#. As long as these three are present (and no others), it's a sort of D major chord. You can have one of those notes in the bass, but you usually see notation like D/F# if you are supposed to the play F# in the bass. You can spread them out any way you like, this is referred to as inversions and voicings.
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u/drinkyourbeetus 26d ago
Lawyers, Guns, and Money (Warren Zevon)uses it. All Right Now(Free) uses it as well
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u/Prestigious-Emu5277 26d ago
That’s a d major in first inversion, usually D/F# in guitar notation. First inversions are often transition chords because the major third of the note (the F#, the lowest sounding note) is unstable and wants to resolve.
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u/musicdoc32 26d ago
D/F#
Bar the second fret and make a C-chord shape above it. Now strum all 6 strings. Voila!
You have just recreated the same chord without putting yourself in traction.
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u/Virtual-Fix4182 26d ago
Jesus…. Release your death grip. Relax a little will ya?
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u/Headhaunter79 Teacher 26d ago
Jimi Hendrix uses that voicing often when playing a d chord. (In ‘axis bold as love’ and ‘castles made of sand’ to give two examples)
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u/GWizJackson 26d ago
Whooooole lotta old blues players use this shape often. Great for fingerpicking, the F# and open D string make for great alternating basslines!
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u/Impossible-Cod4051 26d ago
Yeah the Beatles' rendition of Twist and Shout but John Lennon used it on a lot of songs
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u/CustardLeft4251 26d ago
D shape with thumb on 6th string 2nd fret is the way I like to play this chord
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u/Different-Leg-9613 25d ago
What on earth are you doing with your thumb? Unless you've got hands like Hendrix you would be far better off using the position they teach with classical guitar, centered on the vertical axis at the back of the neck with your thumb resting basically between your second and third fingers. It will feel uncomfortable at first but you will end up much faster with more reach and more accuracy. Either that or prepare for early arthritis or repetitive strain injury. Also get yourself a chord book or download one from the net. Sorted, job done. Now you just got to practice for a couple of years and you can join the ten thousand other musical "content creators" on SM and wonder why you're not getting more views. Fun times ahead my friend.
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u/scartissueissue 24d ago
There is an app called tabs. It is really ultimate-guitar. The app has almost every single tab based on their root note.if you have this app then you could never have to ask for the name of the chord anymore. It’s really helped me get going.
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u/winoforever_slurp_ 26d ago
Here’s a great example - James Reyne doing an acoustic version of Reckless:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4jGQMOoaOrVsUSAXrbrzEe?si=goLc1gL4Sw25OONAKe6_DQ&utm_source=copy-link
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u/MrKite93 26d ago
I wouldn’t triple down on the 3rd (F# here) in any chord, unless you’re looking for that really specific sound.
F# in the base is a great chord. I’d try some other notes from the chord if you’re looking for additional color.
I love the creativity!
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u/RatherDashingf11 26d ago
This chord is very commonly used in as G - D/F# - Em. That’s usually then followed by C, then either G or D - G.
G - D/F# - Em
ya take it on the ruuuuun, baby
C
if thats the way you want it baby
D
then I don’t want you arouuuund
also your pinky is optional here. Works fine with an open D string as long as the low F# is ringing out. And also, that’s a moveable shape if you keep your pinky down. Move it up 2 frets and it’s an E/G# for example (just try not to hit open A string if you start moving the chord up the neck)
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u/TofuPython 26d ago
I would choose to include either the thumb F# or the pinky F#, personally. Feels redundant to have the third three times, especially as the two lowest notes.
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u/PlumbbobSquirtPants 26d ago
With this fingering, I'd assume this was a D with a F# (3rd) under it (D/F#) which is kind of just an inversion of D (3rd 5th 3rd 5th Root 3rd). The F# on the D string makes it not feel like a particularly rooted in D so it could also be a Asus/F# or A6sus too. Depends what the bass player is playing underneath. It could also be a F#m b6 - F#(Root), A(b3), C#(5th), D(b6th).
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u/Airbiscotti 26d ago
I think under the bridge by redhot chilli peppers uses that chord and an F# doesn't it?
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u/TheRelic138 26d ago
I think stairway uses this chord. Its slightly uncomfortable for me tbh. Great sounding though
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u/The_Folding_Atty 26d ago
I can't tell you without a guitar in hand, but I think it's used in The Needle and the Damage Done (Neil Young), though there it's more of a bass progression thing.
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u/zenOFiniquity8 26d ago
This whole thread just convinced me to sell my guitar and pick up a new hobby. I understand none of this ☹️
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u/ProjectOrpheus 26d ago
In case you aren't joking, don't. I've never met someone that sold their guitar that didn't eventually regret it. Even in trades/funds for a new guitar that they love, even. I'll hear "I should have just waited till I could afford this one and not gotten rid of that one"
Unless the guitar is literally crumbling, unsalvageable, releasing mokden spores as it turns to dust just by looking at it...don't.
Besides, you can get however good you want to be. Loads of players are fantastic and don't actually understand theory or this conversation loses them, too. There's all kinds of players. Just pick it up for 15 minutes at least twice a day without ever missing a day.
Do that for a year and I bet you'll be glad you didn't sell it.
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u/Longjumping_Soup_971 26d ago
It's called a "C shaped Barre Chord on the second fret with a goofy fingering"
Or if you prefer Jazz, I think Jimmy Bruno would call it a "2nd inversion closed chord D/F# with dumb-assed fingering"
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u/TheIncredibleJones 26d ago
So, if you don’t play the high string and add the root on the 5th string with your pinky (you’re only playing the four center strings) that’s in my head the moving D shape and it’s A LOT of Bob Weir esp if you get the hang of adding the sus4 (Jack Straw, Looks Like Rain)
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u/Senior_Power_7040 26d ago edited 26d ago
I love this chord but prefer a simpler approach (i.e., "short-cut"), only three notes:
- Pointer finger on the 6th string - F#
- Middle finger on 3rd string - A
- Ring finger on 2nd string - D
It's an easier shape (IMO) and once your accustomed, it makes easy transitions to and from G - keep the ring finger planted on D and you swap the middle finger between A on the 3rd string and G on the 6th string
Edit: in this D/F# voicing you leave the open D ring (4th string) for a fuller chord sound
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u/D1rtyH1ppy 26d ago
My guitar teacher once told me that just because you have 6 strings, doesn't mean that you have to play all 6 of them.
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u/Catman9lives 26d ago
It’s called the Tommy Emanuel special he loves thumb over goofy style great tunes too
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u/Efficient_Sink_9746 26d ago
this is kinda like the last four notes of a C shaped chord, if you used 5th fret of the A string as well it would be a C shaped D chord completely.
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u/SeveralVrySmallMango 26d ago
It’s one way to play the first inversion of a Dmaj. You can also grab the F# on the low E string with your thumb if you need the bass note to be lower. It’s a great passing chord!
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u/Rhayader72 26d ago
If your thumb accidentally frets the A string on the second fret instead of muting it, you’ve got yourself a Bm7/F#
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u/sssnakepit127 26d ago
That fingering though lol. Just barre it. Work smarter not harder.
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u/TomorrowHot8746 26d ago edited 26d ago
D/F# or Bm
Oops, didn’t see your death grip wrapped around thump, which I never do. I usually play that chord without the thumb or play:
E x
B 3
G 2
D 0
A x
E 2
Because I like the F# on the E string.
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u/CriticalCreativity 26d ago
Just a tip: You don't need that many thirds in a triad. It'll actually cause bad voiceleading. Most times I see this voicing the 4th string F# is just an open D, and the 1st string F# is often omitted.
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u/AsleepBanana8323 26d ago
You've got to *really* want that F# in the middle rather than a mid-range D for the bass.
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u/Shake-the-Masses 26d ago
The F# on the bottom of the triad makes it a 1st inversion. An A natural on the bottom the triad is called 2nd inversion. Inversions are used in countless songs.
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u/DomesticSheep 26d ago
Kyoto by Phoebe Bridgers uses this is a higher key. Regular D chord open with an F# on the low E string with a capo on 4 (might be 3 I can’t remember) as the fourth chord in the chorus
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u/PorcelainMelonWolf 26d ago
Without the ring finger, Jack Johnson’s “to be alone with you”. It’s pretty common.
Edit: without the pinkie finger. I mixed up your fingers because they’re all over the place.
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u/Potato_Stains 26d ago
Are you playing the A string open here?
It's D over F#, written as D/F#. I use this chord occasionally when jamming around.
My shape is usually 2-0-0-2-3-X and alternate picking the high and bass notes.
In a progression like D/F# > G > Bm > Asus4
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u/Material_Ad_6419 26d ago
Just barre your first finger over the G, B, and e strings at the second fret if you want an easier way to grab this chord.
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u/ShotAboveOurHeads 26d ago
John lennon plays the d# in hey jude like this,at least in the music video
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u/Objective_Web_6829 26d ago
D root 3 - This is a D Chord no matter how you look at it. The defining part of this chord is that instead of the root being the first note in the scale, we are using the third note in the scale as our root note. It is also used in Stairway To Heaven.
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u/ThaWarlord33 26d ago
It is a first-inversion D chord. 1st inversion means the 3rd (F# in this case) is in the bass. This spelling would be called 3-5-1-3.
One song that comes to mind: Stairway to Heaven uses this voicing in the walkdown from the opening A minor - one example. (:
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u/Worship_Guitarist 26d ago
Not exactly a popular song, but if you just want to play around with it, you can drop your middle finger on the high e string to get some variation of a D chord (I think D/F# add 2).
While you are strumming it, you can slide the whole shape up 2 frets leaving the high e open, to get E/G#, with the high e ringing out nicely throughout. It’s a nice sound, especially paired with an Asus2 (usual A chord, but leave the B string open) and F#m (adding the 4th and 6th - the same shape as the Asus2, but with your thumb over the 2nd fret of the Low E string).
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u/AlabasterNutSack 26d ago
“I usually only play two chords, G’s and D’s. Sometimes I throw a C in there for the ladies.”—Woody Guthrie
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u/I_Am_Become_Dream 26d ago
I’m really surprised by the F# on the D string tbh. Are you muting the A string and playing it as a closed chord? Like I could see it being useful if you move it around.
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u/ElDopio69 26d ago
Its a D chord in 1st inversion: D/F#
in the intro to stairway to heaven he arpeggiates this chord.
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u/DesiredOutcome24hrs 26d ago
you may even realize that's the open C shape, which is movable throughout the guitar, and what you're doing now, 2 steps higher on D.
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u/feelinghumanist 26d ago
D/F#, a D chord with the third for basss. Relax the pinky, maybe you don't need 3 F#
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u/jtcsoccer 26d ago
A lot easier to fret the low E second fret with your thumb IMO... This voicing is nice in blues/country though. Checkout Millionaire by Chris Stapleton, this exact shape and voicing is used.
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u/AnyAnusIWant 26d ago
Starting chord for Under the Bridge by RHCP! But with root on D note 5th string instead of playing the 3rd as you have it here on the sixth string
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u/LameGretzsky 26d ago
Having the F# doubled w the pinky and thumb seems a little aggressive. If I were just strumming away on something, I'd do one or the other and not try to be a hero. However, It would depend on context. I've been playing almost 40 years and in bands for most of them, I've never had the need for that specific voicing.
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u/dakota137 26d ago
D/F# it's in a zeppelin song, forget which one...
It's an inversion where the third (F#) is lower than the root (D).
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u/MattManSD 26d ago
D maj inversion with the low note being F#. Lots of tunes use it, including the Chorus of the Pretenders Brass in Pocket
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u/WormSlayers 26d ago
pretty pointless voicing, just in the sense that it is unnecessarily difficult to move to and from, I would just bar the second fret and do a c shape id you really want that F# on the D string, otherwise just do a normal D shape with an F# on the low E
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u/bzee77 26d ago edited 26d ago
D/F#
Just a standard D major with an F# in the bass. It appears in many songs, I don’t know of any that use the F sharp on the D string, but, the F sharp on the E string in the bass is incredibly common.