How to use the CAGED systemįor this tutorial, we’ll be using the key of C major, so let’s check out what the chords look like in their original open position. Using CAGED, each of the five chord shapes can be played in the correct positions all across the neck to reflect a specific key. Together they cover the entire fretboard logically and systematically.Īlthough these chords are easy to play in the open position, the CAGED system makes it possible to finger them as movable barre chords. These five chord shapes are paired with five unique major scale patterns-one for each chord.
The term CAGED is a mnemonic device that simplifies the grid-like layout of the guitar fingerboard by using five open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D, as the foundation. Open up your knowledge of the guitar fretboard. By the end, you’ll know how the music theory behind CAGED, how to learn it and why it’s so useful. In this article, we’ll cover a handful of basics around the CAGED system. No matter what your goals are on guitar, understanding the CAGED system, concepts, and purpose will greatly improve your playing and open up your knowledge of the guitar fretboard. Of course, it takes a lifetime to master the instrument-but one concept to carry with you from the start of your guitar learning journey is the CAGED system. The guitar is the most popular instrument on earth because it’s relatively easy to start learning.Īlmost anyone can pick up a guitar and learn a basic chord progression in the first 20 minutes playing.