1,008 guitar chords with several shapes each, finger numbers, difficulty and real sound, in any tuning.
There are two ways to play A♭ major (G♯ major) as a full barre chord: the E shape with your first finger across all six strings at the 4th fret, or the A shape across five strings at the 11th fret. Neither sits at the nut, so A♭ major is a friendlier barre than F or B♭.
The library above opens on A♭ showing only barre shapes, 3 of them, with finger numbers and a difficulty rating. Tap one to hear whether yours rings the same.
A♭ (root), C (major third), E♭ (fifth). A barre shape doubles them across five or six strings, which is why it sounds so full. You will need it in D♭ major (V), E♭ major (IV), A♭ major (I), C minor (VI), F minor (III). More about A♭ major: every shape, the keys it belongs to and easier versions.
466544x(11)(13)(13)(13)(11)466848The E-shape barre sits at the 4th fret, with the root A♭ under your first finger on the 6th string. It is the open E chord moved up 4 frets, with your first finger doing the job of the nut. String by string it gives 6th string A♭, 5th string E♭, 4th string A♭, 3rd string C, 2nd string E♭, 1st string A♭.
The A-shape barre sits at the 11th fret, with the root on the 5th string. It is the open A shape moved up 11 frets; leave the 6th string out. It gives 5th string A♭, 4th string E♭, 3rd string A♭, 2nd string C, 1st string E♭.
Around the 4th fret the strings are lower than at the nut, so this barre is easier than F or B♭ at the 1st fret: keep the first finger straight and close to the fret wire.
The same shape one fret lower is G, one fret higher A: once A♭ rings cleanly, slide it to play every major chord.
No barre yet? Put a capo on the 1st fret and play the open G shape (320003): it sounds exactly like A♭.
Practice: switch between A♭, D♭, E♭ as barre chords, four strums each, keeping your first finger in contact with the strings as you move.
The E shape is on the 4th fret (466544); the A shape on the 11th fret (x(11)(13)(13)(13)(11)).
Yes: capo on the 1st fret and play an open G (320003). Or use the fret 4 shape (4665xx).
Use the one closest to the chords around it. The E shape at the 4th fret has the deeper sound (its lowest note is A♭ on the 6th string); the A shape at the 11th fret is higher up the neck and leaves the 6th string out.
The strings held only by the barre are the ones that buzz: in the E shape that is the 6th string, 2nd string, 1st string at the 4th fret (A♭, E♭, A♭). Play them one at a time and move your first finger slightly until a crease is not sitting on any of them.