There is an easy fix to breaking out of the CAGED position problem and that is by playing inversions of triad arpeggios. It locks you into a new position – all the closed positions. What is the main problem with the CAGED system? Open chords lock you into the first few frets. It breaks you out of the open chord position. What is the main benefit of the CAGED system? That is the CAGED system and it is excellent for beginners. And the pattern of always moves in the order of C-A-G-E-D-C-A-G-E-D, etc. The point is that you can turn any open chord into a closed chord in the same key, or different keys, anywhere along the fretboard. You could also play those chords as closed chords in the C, G, E and D positions/voicings, although, not of those chords are possible in the other positions. Those open chords are all in the “A” position/shape of the acronym CAGED.
Here is a list of basic open A chords that you should know:Ī, A6, A7, Amaj7, Am, Am7, Asus4, and Asus2
Caged scales how to#
I assume you know how to play those chords. The letters in “CAGED” are for the 5 open major chords: C, A, G, E, and D major. Barre chord: a specific type of a closed guitar chord where 1 or more fingers are used to fret 2 or more notes. Closed chord: a guitar chord that does not have ANY open strings in the voicing. Open chord: a guitar chord with at least one open string in the voicing. Some chords can’t be played in open voicings.īut first, let’s define the various chord voicings: Actually, it’s the ability to play any chord, nit just open chords. The most common application of the CAGED system is the ability to play any open chord as a closed chord shape in different positions along the fretboard and in different keys. Visualizing the 5 chords enables you to play scales in various positions, tie those positions together, move from position to position, and much more.īelow I cover the applications of the CAGED system: chords, intervals, chord partials, triad arpeggios, scales and modes, and how to tie all those things together. But there is way more to the system that just chords. I cover point by point the practical applications and strengths of the CAGED system, while also mentioning the main problem of the system and how to avoid that pitfall.ĬAGED System: Guitar chords, scales, arpeggios, …Īt its most basic, the CAGED system enables you to play every kind of chord in every key along the entire fretboard. If you know and play barre chords, then you are already using the CAGED system. The CAGED system is an excellent visualization tool that helps you break out of the open chords rooted on the first few frets of the guitar.