Here are some really great chords that can really spice up chords in our key of A and similar keys. The idea here is to have our 1st and 2nd strings open throughout each chord and also an open 5th string Pedal Tone (I have a lesson on Pedal Tones link annotated within the lesson video) throughout each chord.

I called the shapes “Major” and “Minor” on the PDF, but as I discuss in the video, there are plenty of ways to look at each chord, depending on what other information is surrounding it (other chords, what the bass is playing, the key… etc.).

Here are a couple ways to look at the chords:

Major Shape:

1) As a part of the 6th String Major Barre Chord (red note is root note).

2) A Minor Triad (2-4 String) where the root note is on the same fret as our 2nd finger, only on the 2nd string (which we can play or not play).

Minor Shape:

1) As a part of the 6th String Minor Barre Chord (red note is root note).

2) A Major Triad (2-4 String) where the root note is on the 2nd string, in between our 1st and 3rd finger.

“5 Chord Shape”:

1) As a 5th String Major Barre Chord (red note is root note).

2) As a 5th String Minor Barre Chord (red note is root note).

This should be a great starting point to jump into some really nice open sounding chords!

-Related Lessons-

0:27 – Pedal Tones (Static Bass Notes)

0:27 – E Movable Open Chords (Ringing Two Strings)

0:35 – Naming a Chord?! | UGT 4/8

0:41 – Sus Chords | BO 8/10

1:22 – 6th String Barre Chords | BO 9/10

1:45 – Playing Triads (Whole Neck & All Strings!)

2:28 – Naming a Chord?! | UGT 4/8

PDF’s

Movable Chords E-A-D, Open Chords & Extended Chords

Play Along – Chords Play Along