SHAPES

[Loraine]

Well, I replied, but it disappeared on me. @ernie-boy, The shapes refer to the open chords and the shape they make on the fretboard. The 5 main open chords are C, A, G, E, D (hence the name CAGED). Those same open chord shapes can be played throughout the fretboard, but they would have different chord names based on where they’re played on the fretboard. However, the basic open chord shape is used (usually as a barre chord). So even though the name of the chord changes depending on where on the fretboard you are, you are still using the open chord “shape.” Hope this helps.

The 5 main open chord shapes (not letting me paste shapes) Try going to https://appliedguitartheory.com/lessons/caged-guitar-theory-system/

[Ernie-Boy]

Loraine you’ve been very helpful. Admittedly the link you sent will have to be studied. After never learning how to read music and 50 years since I’ve picked up a guitar I’ve got a challenge. But I do thank you for jumping in.

Ernie

[Bill_Brown]

Hi @Ernie-Boy , just wanted to give my 2 cents. @Loraine has touched on some basic concepts involving CAGED and barre chords. Allow me to dig a little deeper into chord shapes and barre chord relationship. First and foremost, you have to know which string contains the “root” note for the 5 chord (shapes) in CAGED. The root generally being the lowest note played in the chord (shape). The C & A chord shapes have their roots on the A (5th) string, the G & E chord shapes have their roots on the loE (6th) string, and the D chord shape has it’s root on the D (4th) string. For example, let’s make an open C chord. If we move that entire “shape” up 2 frets (1 whole step) we’re essentially fretting a D chord and so on. Now the open strings that aren’t fretted (open hiE & G strings) create a subtle difference in the exact name of the chord (Dadd9,add11), but it’s still essentially a D chord because we’ve maintained the root note on the A (5th) string, even though we made it with a C chord shape. We can move this C chord shape further up the neck following the musical alphabet along the A (5th) root string and make other chords also, but the open strings do complicate the exact name of the chord. That’s where barre chords come in. By using the index finger to act as the “nut”, the open strings are now fretted, and using the example above, if we barred the 2nd fret with the index and make the C chord shape with our middle ring and pinkie, we’ve made a true D chord.

The same is true for all the chord shapes in CAGED. However, not all of the full chord shapes can be made into barre chords (very easily). IMHO the G & D shapes are very awkward to make as barre chords and you won’t see them in any tablature as barre chords. You will see their partial shapes played as triads and used up and down the neck. Most barre chords used in tablature are from the A & E family (i.e. A, Am, A7, E, Em, E7) of chord shapes and occasionally the C family.

Enjoy your journey👍