28.2 · Movable Shapes

Any chord, anywhere

Barre the Em and Am shapes too and you hold four grips: major and minor, root on the E string or the A string. Four grips times the landmarks you memorized is every major and minor chord on the neck.

Four grips, four chords you couldn't play before

F, F♯m, B♭, and Bm have no open shape. Each barre grip reaches one: the root string plus the fret names the chord.

One chord, two homes

B major with the A shape at fret 2, then with the E shape at fret 7. Same chord, same notes doubled differently: pick whichever home your hand is closer to.

Quiz

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You need a Bm with its root on the A string. Which grip, where?

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.The scale as a shape →