The proper way to play chords on the guitar...

[TestMangler]

If you only play D on 4 strings, you might think it was separate, but if you want to throw in the bass notes, then you're playing a C barred on the 2nd.
It's not about how you choose to play something, it's knowing what the root is.
Take G, for example. If you're playing it with a finger on E, A and top E, then you're actually playing an A shape - the three strings in the middle are effectively A -2.

Not unless you're not entirely sane. A real man would thumb hook the F# on the E string, Giving you F# and A on the bass strings.

[WTFH]

Not unless you're TestMangler. A real man would thumb hook the F# on the E string, Giving you F# and A on the bass strings.

If you're playing the F# then you are effectively barring a C, but try to do it properly. (Ask your boyfriend)
F#, D, F#, A, D, F#

I'm not saying you must do that all the time, I'm saying that if you understand music, then you'll know you can use it.
Some songs where there is a repeat of a D-E or E-D, I'll use that shape, because then you are just sliding on the neck

I'm from the school of thinking that says you should learn on acoustic, that way you'll have better strength and control when you go electric

[TestMangler]

If you're playing the F# then you are effectively barring a C, but try to do it properly. (Ask your boyfriend)
F#, D, F#, A, D, F#

I'm not saying you must do that all the time, I'm saying that if you understand music, then you'll know you can use it.
Some songs where there is a repeat of a D-E or E-D, I'll use that shape, because then you are just sliding on the neck

I'm from the school of thinking that says you should learn on acoustic, that way you'll have better strength and control when you go electric

I understand what you're saying, but playing an open D and thumbing the F# is not 'barring a C' to my mind, which is what you seem to be saying. Playing an open C, sliding it up two frets and barring at the second is 'barring a C'. Not quite the same thing, is it, although, in broad terms the end result is a 'D Chord'.

I asked my boyfriend and he reckons you're a queer for even considering barring an open C shape, unless you play jazz, which amounts to the same thing.

Stek, FFS, learn to play a Bm barred at the second fret and we can ditch this discussion altogether

[VectraMan]

You sound like a bunch of fruity jazz players.

Power chord with two notes. All you need.

[TestMangler]

You sound like a bunch of fruity jazz players.

Power chord with two notes. All you need.

Even a power chordist (and I'd include myself in there) needs to stick the 3rd note in there occasionally to distinguish the minor.

[stek]

I love the maj, sus4, sus2 combo especially on D.

[TestMangler]

Maybe there's an instruction book, like, "Guitar For Jizzmonkeys" that we can get for the mods....

[TestMangler]

I love the maj, sus4, sus2 combo especially on D.

So does Amy McDonald, but with a capo on the 7th fret.

[grabri]

So does Amy McDonald, but with a capo on the 7th fret.

Caledonia..

[darmstadt]

Who needs chords...the first album I played on:

Actually chords did come along at one point: