Lesson 10 – How To Play All Major Chords (3-String Triads) With The Root On The A-String Using One Additional Chord Shape!

Major Chord Shape “2-A”

To make it easier to move around the neck, we’re going to add in a second MAJOR chord shape. The new shape will mimic the old “D” chord shape.

Major shape “2-A” starts on the 2^nd string (A-String) and ends on the 4^th string (E-String). This form can also be used to play Major chords all the way down the neck on the “A”, “C”, and “E” strings. Practice and get familiar with this form on these strings.

Here are three examples: To play an Bb – Major chord (Bb, D, F), simply press down the 1^st fret on the A-String (with your POINTER finger), the 2^nd fret on the C-String (with your RING finger), and the 1^st fret on the E-String (with your MIDDLE finger), and strum the “A”, “C”, and “E” strings (Bb, D, F).  Use this same form for all Major chords when using this shape.  To play a B-Major chord (B, D#, F#), simply press down the 2^nd fret on the A-String, the 3^rd fret on the C-String, and the 2^nd fret on the E-String, and strum the “A”, “C”, and “E” strings (A#, D, F).  To play a C-Major chord (C, E, G), simply press down the 3^rd fret on the A-String, the 4^th fret on the C-String, and the 3^rd fret on the E-String, and strum the “A”, “C”, and “E” strings. 

You can also use this shape to play all the Major chords (up and down the guitar neck) in higher octaves … by simply strumming the “E”, “G”, and “B” strings.