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A-Shape Barre/Movable Guitar Chords

In part 1 we were introduced to E-shape barre chords. We built these from the foundation shape of the open position E chord (and its major and minor variations), with the lowest root note on the low E string.

This lesson, we're looking at the A-shape barre chord (or "movable chord shape" - it doesn't always require an finger barre!). Just as the E-shape relates to its open position equivalent, so too does the A-shape build on the open A chord we learn as beginners.

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The A-shape major barre chord

Let's start with the basic major A shape. Don't play anything yet, just observe (click diagram to hear)...

So, just like in the first lesson, we can see how the open position shape simply gets shifted up the fretboard, with the index finger barre acting as a new "nut" or capo. We can position this shape at a particular fret depending on the key we're playing in. To do this, it's a good idea to first establish where the root notes of this shape lie...

The lowest root note for the A-shape barre/movable chord is on the A string. Therefore, if we know the fretboard notes along the A string, we'll know that positioning that shape with the A string root note at fret 5 would make it... D major. D is the note at fret 5 on the A string!

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

Know all the root notes on the A string? If not, this lesson will help.

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The A-shape minor barre chord

Just like above, we're going to refer back to the open position A chord for its minor chord shape (click diagram to hear)...

Again, we simply shift that shape up the fretboard to the desired fret/key. The index finger barres where the nut would be in relation to the rest of the chord.

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

Fingering the A-shape barre chord

When it comes to the basic major A shape chord, there are a couple of ways to finger it. The most common way, and the way that gets you the fullest voicing, is the following...

Use your index finger to barre, and then squeeze in your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. The high E string will also ring out with this fingering as the index barre should fret it, which is fine (it's just a higher voiced 5th - more on what that means another time!)

Another way is to simply fret the root note of the shape with your index finger (not barred) and then barre the 3 other strings with your 3rd finger...

Now, this fingering means that higher 5th (high E string) is not sounded. However, if you use that 3rd finger barre firmly, you will fret the high E string in line with the 3 strings below it. This high E string note will provide an added 6th... take a listen here. Sounds nice, but it's not necessarily wanted in place of a regular major chord every single time.

My advice? Learn both fingerings! Expand your options.

And finally the basic minor shape...

Exercising the fingers and a jam track to help

Just like I said in the first lesson, with only your index finger barred in its place for this chord shape, try picking each string (from A string to high E) - does each string sound cleanly? Is there any buzzing? If there is buzzing, it means the string isn't being fretted properly. Adjust, and try again, until each string sounds cleanly.

TIP: Barre the strings for 10 seconds, check each string sound cleanly, then release, barre for 10, check, then release etc. This will help the muscle memory set in.

When you're confident with your barring strength, apply the other fingers of the A-shape major chord, and once again make sure each note in the chord rings cleanly.

If you've mastered the E-shape chord from the first lesson, the physical demands of barring should be less of a problem for this particular shape and other barre chords.

Try the exercise below, where we change between A-shape barre chords and open position chords.

Guitar Example - Download Jam Track

What other chords can you play using the A-shape?

For reference, below are some of the more common A-shape chord variations. Remember you can also apply these to the original open position shape (open A string root) - they work the same way, as they use the same shape.

Notice how some of the chords below don't actually require a barred finger? That's why I also refer to them as "movable chords". They're still built from the same basic shape and the lowest root note still lies on the A string. They are still part of the A-shape chord "family".

Note: The diagrams below use a suggested fingering - if you're playing a particular progression, you might want to alter the fingerings to accommodate...

Major A-shape
Barre/Movable Chords

Major (e.g. D)

Dominant 7 (e.g. D7)

Higher-voiced Dominant 7

Major 7 (e.g. Dmaj7)

Higher-voiced Major 7

Major 7 Add 6 (e.g. Dmaj7add6)

Major 9 (e.g. Dmaj9)

Add 9 (e.g. Dadd9)

Add 6 (e.g. Dadd6)

Higher voiced Add 6

7 Add 6 (e.g. D7add6)

Higher voiced 7 Add 6

Minor A-shape
Barre/Movable Chords

Minor (e.g. Dm)

Minor 7 (e.g. Dm7)

Higher-voiced Minor 7

Minor Major 7 (e.g. DmM7)

Minor Add 9 (e.g. Dmadd9)

Minor Add 6 (e.g. Dmadd6)

Minor 7 Add 6 (e.g. Dm7add6)

Suspended A-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. Dsus4)

7 Sus 4 Add 6
(e.g. D7sus4add6)

Sus 2 (e.g. Dsus2)

7 Sus 4 (e.g. D7sus4)

Sus 4 Add 9
(e.g. Dsus4add9)

7 Sus 2 (e.g. D7sus2)

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.

From just two shapes so far in the series (E shape, A shape), can you see the massive library of chord voicings we're building up? There's still 3 more chord shapes to cover as well!

Where next?...

Assuming you've now learned the E-shape and A-shape chords, learn the other 3 main chord shapes in your own time. Each shape offers an array of different barre chords and movable chord voicings, and the more creative options you give yourself, the more expressive your music can potentially be.

Thanks for your time!

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