Triads

So I started learning the concept of triads and I find the idea really cool as it gives me ideas of how to make chords sound different and a little easier to play. What I would like to know is how do I know which shapes do what? There are a few shapes for every three strings so which shapes should I learn and how do I use them? If anybody has a way to show me with a diagram or chart, that would be super awesome! Thanks!

Triads are what I like to call 'base' chords. For example, a guitarist in a band needn't play all the notes in any given chord to achieve the tonality of that chord.

Chords are build from scales and scales are derived from intervals of half and whole steps. Do yourself a favor and skim through the lessons section of this site. There is a wealth of information on exactly what you need.

I once thought that it would be easier to learn chords, the fretboard by playing a Bb or B standard shape up the fretboard. Long story short I wasn't exactly right so don't worry about shapes.

edit............................nevermind. :)

@JRM
Then you learned incorrectly. Everyone should learn the shapes of chords-without chords and that knowledge you're doomed to repeat single note riffs for eternity. Knowing is not "uncool".

@Bboyrocker

Learn all possible shapes you can of chords. Learn what comprises the triad base(Ex. A C E = A minor) and start finding other places those notes can be played. This will not only help unlock the fretboard for chord work but the more you know exactly what notes are where on the fretboard-the easier it will be to navigate it. Especially if you ever want to play leads someday-knowing is more than half the battle with lead playing.

@ bboyrocker1 Check out this lesson. It shows the 12 fingerings of open triads. You can use these in lower (below 12th fret) or higher octave (above 12 fret) giving you 24 different positions on the neck for every chord.
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/topic.php?id=4955

Hell bboyrocker 1 !!!

Take each scale and count the 1,3 & 5 (7)notes, take em alltogheter att once, and you will deriver the diatonic chord of that sacle..Thats how the chords are built....