Playing a chord on guitar by using its shape is the most common way to play and remember a chord, A shape is just the pattern of the tones being played from a single reference point. The starting point is normally the root/naming note of a chord. The tones that are the naming tones are marked with a white dot (or a hole), Also remember that each key has 3 major chords and three minor chords which means that each 'major or minor' shape can be used three times...

Power - Augmented - Sus2 - Sus4 - Sus6 - Sus7 - Add9

	Major Shapes - C A G E D	Minor Shapes C A G E D	Dim. Shapes C A G E D
C Shapes	I. - IV. - V.	VI. - II. - III.	VII.
A Shapes	I. - IV. - V.	VI. - II. - III.	VII.
G Shapes	I. - IV. - V.	VI. - II. - III.	VII.
E Shapes	I. - IV. - V.	VI. - II. - III.	VII.
D Shapes	I. - IV. - V.	VI. - II. - III.	VII.

   The term 'Dominant Chords' refers to a 'shape', its normally associated with a V 7th chord but the theory is used with the 9th and 11th chords too. Take note of the roman numerals (V. - IV) because they show what that shape is 'restricted' to. If a chord says only (V.) and you play it on the I. and IV. then you will be playing the differing tone from the key to the left or right of the key you are in (This is stretching out beyond or combining keys together)...

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