Useful Shapes

Useful shapes are smaller, more movable voicings — quicker to play, easier to embellish, and easier to transition between. They are also more open, leaving acoustic space for other tones (a cleaner sound to many ears). For triads these tend to be voicings on only 3 strings, resembling open voicings on piano; for tetrads they omit the 5th, bringing the same benefit.