CHORDS THEORY - Lesson 6 - The CAGED system for major chords

[Andrew Milner]

So like, do chords have their own cages now or what?

1. Topics of discussion
2. The CAGED system for major chords

1. Topics of discussion

In this tutorial, we are going to take a look at the CAGED system for major chords. So, let's have some fun.

2. The CAGED system for major chords

The CAGED system is a very useful tool that helps you play chords all around the fretboard. Its name comes from the 5 different chord forms we use to play chords. We've played around with these forms a little bit until now.

Papa Gates does an excellent job of explaining the CAGED system as a whole. In this tutorial, we will focus only on the chord aspects related to this system.

The name of each form is based on the chord you can play on a guitar without using a barre. The C form looks like this and is basically a C chord:

E|---0---|
B|---1---|
G|---0---|
D|---2---|
A|---3---|
E|-------|​

The A form looks something like this:

E|---0---|
B|---2---|
G|---2---|
D|---2---|
A|---0---|
E|-------|​

The G form looks something like this:

E|---3---|
B|---0---|
G|---0---|
D|---0---|
A|---2---|
E|---3---|​

The E form looks something like this:

E|---0---|
B|---0---|
G|---1---|
D|---2---|
A|---2---|
E|---0---|​

And finally, the D form looks something like this:

E|---2---|
B|---3---|
G|---2---|
D|---0---|
A|-------|
E|-------|
​

Now that we have the forms defined, it's time to figure out what in music's name should we do with them. Well, it's like this. What if we take a form, say the C form, and move it a tone (or step) higher? We get a D chord with the following form:

And here it is played back.

The idea behind the CAGED system is to use these forms to play what is known as different chord voicings (or variations) of a chord in order to add a little bit of variety to your playing.

The C form has the root note located on the A and B strings, the A form has the root note located on the A and D strings, the G form has the root note located on the low E, G, and high E strings, the E form has the root note located on the low E, D and high E strings and the D form has the root note located on the D and B strings.

Let's take the C chord and play it using every one of the forms above. First off, the C form, which we are already familiar with:

And here it is played back.

Next up, the A form:

And here it is played back.

The G form looks like this:

And here it is played back.

Next in line is the E form:

And here it is played back.

And finally, the D form:

And here it is played back.

That about covers it for this tutorial. In the next one, we will be taking a look at the CAGED system for minor chords, as there are a few differences. See you then.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

Big thing to focus here I'd the bit about root notes. Good stuff to remember there

 

[John Robinson]

Big thing to focus here I'd the bit about root notes. Good stuff to remember there

where can i find the root notes written down so i can memorize them

 

[Andrew Milner]

@John Robinson I think Calvin was referring to the root notes for each chord shape.

This is where the root note of the chord is located for each shape:
- the C form has the root note present on the A and B strings
- the A form has the root note present on the A and G strings
- the G form has the root note present on the low E, G, and high E strings
- the E form has the root note present on the low E, D, and high E strings
- the D form has the root note present on the D and B strings

 

[Ezequiel Romanko]

Great Stuff here! good job Andrei!