The A-Shape Barre Chord: Moveable Major Chords
Published January 14, 2026
Master the A-shape barre chord for rich, full-sounding chords. Essential for rock, pop, and rhythm guitar playing.
Key Takeaways
- A-shape barres five strings and uses the A string as root.
- 1st fret = Bb, 3rd = C, 5th = D, 7th = E, etc.
- Major shape uses three fingers above the barre.
- Minor shape is the same but with two fingers (no B string press).
- Alternate between E-shape and A-shape for different voicings.
The A-Shape Foundation
The A-shape barre chord is based on the open A major chord shape. Unlike the E-shape which bars all six strings, the A-shape typically bars five strings (skipping the low E string) and has a slightly different hand position.
The open A major uses your index, middle, and ring fingers on the 2nd fret of the D, G, and B strings. To make this shape movable, you barre those three strings plus the A string.
At the 1st fret (with the barre), the A-shape produces a Bb major (A-shape barred at the 1st fret = Bb). The 2nd fret = B major, 3rd = C major, 5th = D major, and so on.
A-Shape Major and Minor
For the major version: barre your index finger across the A, D, G, B, and high E strings (five strings). Your ring finger barres the D, G, and B strings two frets above the barre. Alternatively, use fingers 3, 4 on D and G with finger 2 on B.
For the minor version: barre across five strings. Place your middle and ring fingers on the D and G strings two frets above the barre. Do not press the B string — just let the barre handle it.
The A-shape minor at the 1st fret (barre) = Bb minor. At the 5th fret = D minor. The shape is slightly more compact than the E-shape, which some players find more comfortable.
When to Use A-Shape vs E-Shape
The A-shape has a different voicing than the E-shape. It emphasizes the A string as the root, giving the chord a slightly different texture. In a band context, using A-shape can fill the mid-range nicely.
Use A-shape when the root note is on the A string (e.g., B, C, D chords). Use E-shape when the root is on the low E string. The choice also depends on the musical context and what feels comfortable.
Many rhythm guitar parts alternate between E-shape and A-shape barre chords for different sections of a song. Learning both gives you maximum flexibility.
Practice Exercises
- 1Practice the A-shape barre chord at the 5th fret (D major). Check each of the five strings for clarity.
- 2Alternate between A-shape and E-shape barre for the same chord (e.g., A major at the 5th fret using both shapes).
- 3Play a progression: C (3rd fret A-shape) - G (3rd fret E-shape) - D (5th fret A-shape).
Common Mistakes
- Not muting the low E string. It should be silent or gently touched by your barre finger.
- Letting the barre finger arch too much, causing a gap under the middle strings.
- Using too much pressure. The A-shape often requires less force than the E-shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is A-shape different from E-shape barre?
A-shape barres only five strings and has a different hand shape. It uses the A string as the root instead of the low E string.
What frets correspond to which chords in A-shape?
1st = Bb, 2nd = B, 3rd = C, 4th = C#, 5th = D, 6th = D#, 7th = E, 8th = F, 9th = F#, 10th = G, 11th = G#, 12th = A.
Do I need to mute the low E string?
Yes, the low E string is not part of the A-shape chord. You can mute it with the tip of your barre finger or avoid strumming it.
Which is harder, A-shape or E-shape?
This depends on your hand anatomy. Some players find A-shape easier because it barres fewer strings. Others prefer E-shape's more natural hand position.