Once a guitarist masters the 4 major barre chord shapes, they can quickly move around their neck. Moving a C open chord two frets up two frets before barring it becomes a D and two further frets gives an A.
Next step on your neck journey should be turning these moveable chords into triads – an intuitive process once you understand intervals.
1. C Major Triad
When starting to play chords up the neck, there’s no better place to begin than with a major triad. A triad consists of three separate pitch classes sounding simultaneously with C as its root note forming this particular triad.
Your left hand fingers can be moved up or down one fret at a time to create different chord qualities ranging from Major to Diminished or Augmented chords.
One fun idea you can try is moving an open C chord up two frets while leaving out its G and E strings (which you can easily mutes through various fingering techniques), creating a D chord.
2. D Major Triad
The D major triad is one of the most frequently used chords, so it is wise to learn it early on the fretboard. Just like its G major counterpart, its shape repeats all over the neck for easy use when transitioning through inversions or octaves.
As your first step in learning this shape, work on fingering it without blocking or buzzing any strings. Once this step is accomplished, experiment with arpeggios and strumming chords while changing notes or inverting inversions for additional challenges.
Next step should be working on closing chords as seen in Example 4a. Closed voicings require extra strength from your ring finger in order to press down simultaneously on three strings at once.
3. E Major Triad
The E major triad is an extremely versatile chord progression tool. Combine it with other triads to create unique rhythm guitar voicings or use open chords to add color and variety into your guitar parts.
This triad is easy to spot on the fretboard because it resides directly within the root position of an open E chord. Simply press down on fret 2 with your pointer finger, fret 1 with middle finger, and fret 3 with ring finger until all strings have been touched with pointer or middle fingers and D string is hit with your ring finger – that should do it.
Here, you can move this shape up and down the fretboard to form all major triad shapes in E, remembering to always start with the root note on every string set.
4. F Major Triad
The F major triad is an easy chord shape that will provide plenty of flexibility on the fretboard. One challenge may arise in terms of getting all your notes to sound cleanly with your little finger, however perseverance will pay off!
Anna has successfully placed her finger across the string without barring it; however, to prevent buzzing she must arch it so only its tip touches it. Doing this will allow the bow to play smoothly without buzzing.
Fingering in this manner leaves her hand with ample room in which to clamp down with maximum leverage on the strings, essential for playing any type of chord (including full bar chords) quickly as well as moving shapes up and down the neck more quickly.
5. G Major Triad
This chord shape resembles the open C major triad but higher up on the fretboard and in an octave. To play a G major triad, place your index finger on any first fret notes; middle finger on second fret notes; pinky on third fret notes.
This triad is very similar to a D major chord, except with an F# instead of C#. You can create all the major triad shapes by moving each note up or down an octave on the fretboard.
Prioritize accuracy over speed when practicing this chord and its inversions. Like with any new skill, consistent practice over time will bring results; try setting aside dedicated practice time each day specifically dedicated to these chords and inversions.