This is quite a guitar led question. There are several chords/voicings which are instantly recognisable when played on guitar -– let's face it, there are far more voicings available on piano for any given chord -– due to the restrictions of notes available all at once on guitar. The open E, or A, or D as examples.
A lot of the chord windows I've seen in song books just show basic open chords -– few of which I ever use -– as I tend to find different voicings more appropriate than those simple open versions. Not come across 'special' voicings, but I tend to shy away from tab!
As far as reasons why particular voicings are used:
*Player may only know that one.
*Chosen one is writer's favourite.
*Chosen one fits better - in writer's judgement.
*It fits well after the previous chord, or before the next.
*Voice leading dictates a certain bass line.
*Voice leading dictates a certain line for the high notes.
*It was the chord used first when writing the song.
*Using 2nd inversion too sweet, need root or 1st (and vice versa).
*Pretty well all of which point to writer/player choice rather than any technical reasoning.
Player may only know that one.
Chosen one is writer's favourite.
Chosen one fits better - in writer's judgement.
It fits well after the previous chord, or before the next.
Voice leading dictates a certain bass line.
Voice leading dictates a certain line for the high notes.
It was the chord used first when writing the song.
Using 2nd inversion too sweet, need root or 1st (and vice versa).
Pretty well all of which point to writer/player choice rather than any technical reasoning.
