Guitar Tip #5 - More to Explore with the CAGED System
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
The open chord shapes C, A, G, E and D can be made into bar chords to play the same chord in 5 different positions. Taking the example of C major, you can take the furthest note of the open C chord, build a bar and then build an A shape (using the bar in place of the open strings).
This can be repeated from the A shape to the G shape, to the E shape and to the D shape as the furthest notes in each chord shape are the same notes that begin the next chord shape. The only outlier is moving from the D shape to the C shape as all top 3 strings from the D shape remain in the same place to construct the C shape. This means that the bar is built 1 fret back from the furthest note and then the C shape can be made.This exact logic that’s been used to play 5 different positions of C major can be applied to any chord. To prove this, follow the word CAGED again but begin from the open A shape. You’ll see that the next position is G, then E, then D, then it goes back to C and so on. Each of these chord shapes can be extracted into single note arpeggios using the 1 3 and 5, adding 2 and 6 gets pentatonic scales and adding 4 and 7 gets full major scales in 5 positions across the neck with open chord shapes to anchor them.
Practice tip: Play these 5 different positions of C major, up and down the fretboard and focus on seeing the front to back connection of each chord shape. Once that’s comfortable, do this for each of the 5 open chord shapes of CAGED.
Advanced practice: Play this same sequence but begin on a non open chord e.g. F#
Explore More Guitar Tips
Visit our Guitar Tips Library for more quick practice ideas from Big Music coaches.https://www.bigmusic.com.au/guitar-tips
Comments