CAGED System for Guitar
The CAGED system for guitar chords is one way we can learn to play any chord, anywhere on the fretboard. The Major chords, C, A, G, E, & D can be moved up the neck to create the other 12 major chords.
We have simplified (fragmented or dropped) some tones to make the fingerings easier.
We'll take a look at right handed, then left handed perspectives.
Right Handers
The Numbers
- The numbers inside the circles are the chord component (Root, 3rd, 5th).
- The smaller numbers outside the circles are the fingerings.
There are more ways to play these chords (move them up the neck). Many fragments are possible. It is interesting to play a fragment, leave an open string (or two), and see what types of sounds you can find.
Practice playing all 12 Major chords from all 5 CAGED system chords.
It's a good idea to memorize the chord components, so when we modify or compare new types of chords (formulas) to these, we know where the Root, the 3rd, and the 5th are located in each of the forms.
| Basic Chords | Starter Set • Blues Chords • Jazz Chords |
| Power Chords | E Form • A Form |
| Strumming | Basics • Mutes & 8ths • First Chord Change • Tips • Strumming Patterns |
| CAGED | The 5 • CAGED + 1 • Linear CAGED Cycle • Forms with Mods • Chord Formulas • E Form |
| Chords in Keys | Chart for 13 keys • Triads in A minor • Progressions |
