Open Chord Shapes(Up On High)

Hey everybody,

Recently learned Ramble On on the acoustic, and Page has some really nice open chord shapes he uses higher up on the neck. E shape on the 13/14, 11/12,
F shape on the 5-7, 3-5, C shape on the 3-5. I've been playing for about 15 years, and unfortunately know little theory(I know, I know), so I apologize if I am using the incorrect terminology and also for not knowing the names of the actual chords.

What are some of your favorite open chords higher up on the neck?

Can anybody recommend songs to learn that employ nice open chord shapes?

Check out the "CAGED System"

When you start exporting your basic open chords shapes up the neck, you open up a whole new world of arranging possibilities. Especially when you start incorporating open strings within those higher voicings, things get a lot more interesting.

With the 1st and 6th strings being E in standard tuning, and the 2nd string being a B, the key of E is always good for open string chords.

E played as a Bb shape in the 7th fret position.
A played as an E shape in the 5th fret position.
B played as an E shape in the 7th fret position.
B played as a Bb shape in the 2nd fret position.

Dropped D tuning or various open tuning open up many possibility for open voiced chords.

Sometimes I'll play a D chord as a C shape when in the key of G as the V chord.

Here's a few that I like:

AMaj7 - C#7 - Dm7

These can be played on other frets, e.g. the D shape on the 7th fret is GMaj/D.

Those mixed voicings sound particularly good on the acoustic 12 string, e.g. Jimmy Page on 'Over The Hills and Far Away."

Melissa by the allman bros uses those and it sounds so good! Basically it's the E shape fo r all the chords, just altering for minor on F# and G#, then B and C# when the key changes to A. I love the E shape at the 9/10th frets to get a c maj7.

Open Chord Shapes(Up On High)

Well, just to point out, chords up high on the neck don't have to be open to be cool.

Here are some basics that you can very easily use:

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The high three strings of a basic D Major chord, will make a major chord anywhere on the neck (with the root being on the B string).

Example: A 'D shape' with your ring finger at the 10th fret is an A Major chord.
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Holding down the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings along the same fret is also a major chord.

Example: Holding down those four strings at the 12th fret is a G Major chord.
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The first three high strings make a very pretty sounding 6th chord.

Example: Holding down the first three strings at the 10th fret is a F6 chord. (It is also an inverted D minor chord, but we won't go there yet.)
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unfortunately know little theory and also for not knowing the names of the actual chords.



I'm not sure what theory you know or what you mean by "theory" but I suggest knowing how chords are built (and why).

A great tool (that I've mentioned many times here) is an application called Chord Wizard:

http://www.chordwizard.com/products.aspx

"I'm not sure what theory you know or what you mean by "theory" but I suggest knowing how chords are built (and why).

A great tool (that I've mentioned many times here) is an application called Chord Wizard:"

http://www.chordwizard.com/products.aspx

Many thanx for this post FirstBassMan........I downloaded mine today! This is gonna be as handy as a pocket on a shirt............

"KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP ON A PICKIN" WPO