CAGED System Part 1 – Chords

This article focuses on explaining the CAGED chord system for you. No, it–s not about being locked up or caged; basically, the CAGED chord system is made up of all of the major chords laid out across the fretboard. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will understand what the CAGED chord system is as well as how to apply it to your guitar playing.

To begin with, how many of you know your basic major chords? Hopefully by this time, you have some previous knowledge, because it will make learning the CAGED system much simpler for you. If not, check out some prerequisite readings about how chords work (Beginner Guitar Lessons Part 4 - Guitar Chords for Beginners).

In general, the CAGED system will allow you to transpose any chord to any part of the guitar, which will then allow for improvising. You are not an established guitarist until you can improvise your own music and stop playing pre-made tabs or music. Music is all about individuality, and using the CAGED system takes you one step closer to your goal of becoming a true guitarist.

Given that you probably know some open chords, like A major, C major, G major, E major and D major, learning this system should be a breeze. Now, the point of this system is to be able to recreate a single chord at each distinct point on the fretboard (5 different positions for each chord up until the 12th fret).

C Major Chord in Five Different Positions on the fretboard:

• •C Major in A Shape – Take the open A major chord and slide each finger position up three frets.
  •C Major in G Shape – Take the open G major chord and slide the position up 6 frets.
  •C Major in E Shape – Take the open E major chord and slide the position up 9 frets.
  •C Major in D Shape – Take the open D major chord and slide the position up 11 frets.

You may have noticed that the chord patterns follow the CAGED system in the order of letters, in this case beginning with the A shape. If you were to start with G, the next shapes would be E, D, C, A and then G again. The CAGED system is not only used for chords, but can also be used for scales. All you need to know about creating scales using the CAGED system is outlined in the next article (CAGED System Part II – Scales).