How to Play the A Shape Barre Chord on Guitar
To play the A shape barre chord, move the open A chord up the neck and use your index finger across strings 1 to 5 where the nut used to be. This is a barre, which means one finger presses several strings at the same fret. The root on the A string names the chord, while the D, G, and B strings sit 2 frets above the barre. The sections below cover your finger choices, the high E string problem, and a practice routine. For the wider system, see What is the CAGED system and why it matters.
The open A chord you already know
String 1 is the thinnest string, the high E. String 6 is the thickest string, the low E. Finger 1 is the index, and finger 4 is the pinky.
Read the open A chord from string 6 to string 1:
- String 6, low E: silent.
- String 5, A: open root.
- String 4, D: 2nd fret, perfect 5th.
- String 3, G: 2nd fret, root.
- String 2, B: 2nd fret, major 3rd.
- String 1, high E: open perfect 5th.
Strings 5 and 1 depend on the nut because they are open strings. When you move the chord up the neck, the index barre replaces the nut for both strings.
Turning open A into a barre chord
Free the index finger
Play open A without using your index finger. For this drill, place the middle, ring, and pinky on strings 4, 3, and 2 at the 2nd fret.
Your index finger is now free to replace the nut when the shape moves. Section 4 covers the other ways to fret those 3 notes.
Barre and slide up
Move the shape up 1 fret. Barre strings 1 to 5 at the 1st fret with your index finger, then fret strings 4, 3, and 2 at the 3rd fret.
The same spacing works anywhere on the neck. If the index finger barres fret n, the other 3 notes land at fret n+2. Slide the complete shape up 1 fret at a time while keeping the low E string silent.
Naming the chord from the A string
The note under the index barre on string 5 is the root. That root gives the major chord its name.
| Barre fret | Chord |
|---|---|
| 1 | B♭ major |
| 2 | B major |
| 3 | C major |
| 5 | D major |
| 7 | E major |
| 8 | F major |
| 10 | G major |
| 12 | A major |
For D major, find D at the 5th fret of the A string. Barre strings 1 to 5 at the 5th fret, then fret strings 4, 3, and 2 at the 7th fret. Strum from string 5 and listen for each note to ring or mute as intended.
Three ways to fret the A shape
The index barre stays in place for all 3 methods. Your choice affects finger crowding and whether string 1 can ring.
Middle, ring, and pinky
Place the middle finger on string 4, the ring finger on string 3, and the pinky on string 2. All 3 fingers sit 2 frets above the index barre.
This method leaves space above string 1, so its note can ring from the index barre. Start with this method if you want to check all 5 chord notes separately.
Ring-finger barre
Use the ring finger to press strings 4, 3, and 2 at the same fret. This is the most common finger choice for the A shape and leaves the middle and pinky available.
The ring finger will often touch string 1 and mute it. That muted string is acceptable because the chord still contains its root, major 3rd, and perfect 5th. Strum from string 5 and let string 1 remain silent.
Ring barre with the high E ringing
Some hands can bend the top joint of the ring finger back while the finger presses strings 4, 3, and 2. This creates enough clearance for string 1 to ring from the index barre.
Do not force the joint into this angle. If the movement feels strained, mute string 1 or use 3 separate fingers.
| Finger choice | High E string | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Middle, ring, and pinky | Rings from the index barre | Checking every string and learning the shape |
| Ring-finger barre | Usually muted | Compact chord changes and rhythm playing |
| Ring barre with joint bent back | Rings if the hand allows it | A 5-string voicing with the ring-finger barre |
Fixing buzzing and dead strings
Silence the low E string
String 6 is not part of the A shape. Let the tip of your index finger touch it lightly without pressing it against a fret.
A muted low E string is intentional. A buzzing low E string means it is partly pressed, so reduce the contact until it stays silent. If string 1 is muted by your ring finger, use the method described in the ring-finger barre section.
Barre technique
Place the index barre close to the fret wire without sitting on top of it. Less pressure is needed there than in the middle of the fret.
Tilt the index finger toward its thumb-side edge. This firmer edge presses the strings more cleanly than the soft underside of the finger.
Keep your thumb behind the neck rather than over the top. Curl the other fingers so their tips do not touch neighboring strings.
Do not squeeze as hard as possible. Add pressure until the required strings ring, then stop. Test strings 5 through 1 separately to find where your barre needs adjustment.
The A-shape minor chord
The A-shape minor chord keeps the index barre and the root on string 5. At barre fret n, fret strings 4 and 3 at n+2, then fret string 2 at n+1.
For C minor, barre strings 1 to 5 at the 3rd fret. Fret strings 4 and 3 at the 5th fret, and string 2 at the 4th fret. Strum from string 5 while keeping string 6 silent.
A practice routine
Open A to barre, one fret at a time
Start with open A, then move to B♭ major with the index barre at the 1st fret. Continue up the neck 1 fret at a time.
Before each strum, name the root under the barre on the A string. Try it now for 2 minutes, stopping to correct any buzzing string before you move.
Partial shapes for rhythm
Play only strings 4, 3, and 2 from the A shape. These 3 strings contain the perfect 5th, root, and major 3rd, so they still state the chord without the outer strings.
Use this smaller shape for short rock or funk rhythm parts. Pick strings 4 through 2 separately, then strum only those strings while strings 6, 5, and 1 stay silent.
Major to minor at the same fret
Choose one barre fret and play the major A shape. Keep the index barre still, then move string 2 from n+2 to n+1 for the minor chord.
With separate fingers, use the ring finger on string 4, pinky on string 3, and middle finger on string 2 for the minor shape. Alternate between major and minor, and listen to how the lowered note changes the chord.
Where the A shape fits in CAGED
For the same chord, the C shape sits below the A shape on the neck, and the G shape sits above it. For C major, the C shape appears in open position and the A shape uses a barre at the 3rd fret.
See How to play the C shape on guitar for the neighboring C shape. See What is the CAGED system and why it matters to trace all 5 shapes across the fretboard.