The CAGED system is a powerful tool for guitarists that unlocks the fretboard, allowing them to visualize and navigate chord shapes across the neck with ease. This system is rooted in five fundamental open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D. By understanding how these shapes move and interconnect, you can access any chord in multiple positions on the fretboard, expanding your playing options and enabling smoother transitions between chords.
This article will break down each chord form in the CAGED system, explaining how it's derived from the open chord shapes and demonstrating its practical application with examples from well-known songs.
1. The C-Form: "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Understanding the C-Form
The C-form is derived from the open C major chord, one of the first chords many guitarists learn. This shape, when moved up the fretboard with the help of a barre, forms the basis for other major chords. For example, moving the C-form up two frets and barring the index on the 2nd fret turns it into a D major chord.
The C-form chord can be visualized as follows:
Root: 5th string (A string) played with the pinky.
Chord Shape: Open C major shape moved up the neck
Barre: Index finger barring the top 3 strings (this is called a half-barre)
Practical Application: "Under the Bridge"
The song "Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers features a prominent use of the C-form chord. In the intro, guitarist John Frusciante starts the song with a C-Form, D Major chord. This creates the lush, chiming chord that defines the song's sound.
Triads within the C-Form
It is also very useful to break the full barre chord down into 3 note triads. The C-Form barre chord contains 3 different triads. A root position triad on strings 543, a 1st inversion triad on strings 432, and a 2nd inversion triad on strings 321. These triads can be easily moved around the neck for rhythm parts and can be more practical than the full barre chord in many situations!
2. The A-Form: "Holiday" by Green Day
Understanding the A-Form
The A-form is derived from the open A major chord, another fundamental chord shape. When this shape is moved up the fretboard, with a barre placed across the strings, it forms a major chord rooted on the 5th string. This chord is very similar to the power chord on the 5th string, so it is often played interchangeably with power chords. For this reason, it is one of the most common CAGED forms.
The A-form chord can be visualized as follows:
Root: 5th string (A string), played with the index finger
Chord Shape: Open A major shape moved up the neck
Barre: Index finger barring from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Alternate Fingering: A ring finger barre can be used across strings 234.
Practical Application: "Holiday"
Green Day’s "Holiday" is a punk rock anthem that makes extensive use of the A-form chord. The driving power chords in the song are based on this form, making it a perfect example of how the A-form can be used in a high-energy context. In the Intro, the power chords are expanded into the full A form barre chords: Fm Db Ab Eb. The A-form in "Holiday" demonstrates the power and versatility of this shape in a rock setting, where it forms the backbone of the song's chord progression.
Triads within the A-Form
It is very useful to break the full barre chord down into 3 note triads. The C-Form barre chord contains 2 different triads. There is a power chord on strings 543, a 2nd inversion triad on strings 432, and a root position triad on strings 321. These triads can be easily moved around the neck for rhythm parts and can be more practical than the full barre chord in many situations!
3. The G-Form: "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix
Understanding the G-Form
The G-form is perhaps the most challenging shape in the CAGED system, derived from the open G major chord. When moved up the fretboard, this shape can create rich, full-sounding major chords, although it requires some finger stretching and dexterity. For this reason, It is often played as triads without the 6th and 1st string notes. This can take getting used to, but it is still a very easy and practical way to play chords on the guitar.
The G-form chord can be visualized as follows:
Root: 6th string (E string)
Chord Shape: Open G major shape moved up the neck
Barre: Index finger covering strings 432
Practical Application: "The Wind Cries Mary"
Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary" is a masterclass in using the G-form chord. Hendrix uses the G-form to play variations of many chords and embellishments that are central to the song’s smooth, flowing vibe. In the intro, the song starts with the A-form barre chord playing Eb E F, then it repeats the same 3 chords using the G form triad on strings 345. This is fundamental to Jimi Hendrix’s iconic playing style and can be heard all over his recordings.
Triads within the G-Form
It is very useful to break the full barre chord down into 3 note triads. The G-Form barre chord contains 3 different triads. There is a root position triad on strings 654, a 1st inversion triad on strings 543, and a 2nd inversion triad on strings 432. These triads can be easily moved around the neck for rhythm parts and can be more practical than the full barre chord in many situations! You can also play an octave using strings 3 and 1, which is one of the most common ways to play an octave.
4. The E-Form: "Creep" by Radiohead
Understanding the E-Form
The E-form is the most commonly used shape in the CAGED system. Derived from the open E major chord, it is the same as the common F chord which is the first barre chord many students try. When moved up the fretboard with a barre, it creates major chords rooted on the 6th string. This shape is a staple in rock, blues, and many other genres due to its versatility and ease of use.
The E-form chord can be visualized as follows:
Root: 6th string (E string), played with the index finger
Chord Shape: Open E major shape moved up the neck
Barre: Index finger covering all six strings
Practical Application: "Creep"
Radiohead's "Creep" prominently features the E-form chord throughout the song. The progression of G, B, C, and C minor in the chorus is a perfect demonstration of how the E-form can be used to create dramatic, emotionally charged chord changes from the same basic shape.
Triads within the E-Form
It is very useful to break the full barre chord down into 3 note triads. The G-Form barre chord contains 3 different triads. There is a root position triad on strings 432, a 1st inversion triad on strings 321, and a 2nd inversion triad on strings 543. These triads can be easily moved around the neck for rhythm parts and can be more practical than the full barre chord in many situations! You can also play a power chord on strings 654, which is one of the most common ways to play a power chord. This form is found in thousands of songs.
5. The D-Form: "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison
Understanding the D-Form
The D-form is derived from the open D major chord, which is then moved up the fretboard to form other major chords. This shape is typically rooted on the 4th string and is often used to play chords higher up the neck, offering a bright, ringing tone.
The D-form chord can be visualized as follows:
Root: 4th string (D string)
Chord Shape: Open D major shape moved up the neck
Barre: Index finger covering 4th (and sometimes 5th) strings
Practical Application: "Brown Eyed Girl"
Van Morrison’s "Brown Eyed Girl" is a classic tune that uses open chords but can be played with the D-form chord to great effect. The song’s upbeat, jangly feel is driven by the use of this shape, making it a quintessential example of how the D-form can be applied in popular music.
Triads within the D-Form
It is very useful to break the full barre chord down into 3 note triads. The D-Form barre chord contains 1 triads. There is a 2nd inversion triad on strings 321. These triads can be easily moved around the neck for rhythm parts and can be more practical than the full barre chord in many situations! You can also play a power chord on strings 432, or simplify to an octave on strings 4 and 2.
Connecting the Forms: Unlocking the Fretboard
One of the most powerful aspects of the CAGED system is its ability to connect these five chord shapes across the fretboard. Each form can be seamlessly linked to the next, allowing guitarists to move fluidly between positions and create complex chord progressions with ease.
Visualizing the Connection
Here’s how the forms connect:
C-form to A-form: When moving from the C-form to the A-form, the root note on the 5th string (A string) remains the same. Simply shift the C-form down the neck and transition into the A-form, using the same root.
A-form to G-form: Transitioning from the A-form to the G-form involves moving up the neck while maintaining the root note on the 3rd string (G string). This connection is essential for moving between different positions on the fretboard. Check out “The Wind Cries Mary” for a very clear example.
G-form to E-form: The G-form and E-form share the same root note on the 6th string. To connect them, simply shift the G-form down the neck and slide into the E-form.
E-form to D-form: The transition from the E-form to the D-form involves moving the root note from the 6th string to the 4th string. This shift allows for movement between lower and higher registers on the guitar.
D-form to C-form: Finally, moving from the D-form to the C-form involves transitioning the root note from the 4th string back to the 5th string. This completes the cycle, allowing you to return to the C-form at a different position on the neck. You can also imagine the root note on the 2nd string to remain between the two forms. For some, this is a great visualization technique.
Practical Exercise: Combining Forms
To fully understand the CAGED system, practice moving between the different forms on the fretboard. Start by playing a C major chord in the open position, then move to the A-form at the 3rd fret, the G-form at the 7th fret, the E-form at the 8th fret, and finally the D-form at the 10th fret. By practicing this exercise, you’ll begin to see how the CAGED system allows you to visualize the entire fretboard and access any chord in multiple positions. This is especially useful when playing solos or when creating complex chord progressions. Try this activity with all the common open chords.
Another practice strategy is to stay in the same position and play the CAGED forms going around the circle of 4ths. E A D G C F Bb … etc. This will force you to think on the fly and quickly locate the changing root notes while remaining in the same position.
Mastering the CAGED System
The CAGED system is an indispensable tool for any guitarist looking to gain a deeper understanding of the fretboard. By mastering these five chord forms—C, A, G, E, and D—you can unlock new possibilities in your playing, from creating intricate chord voicings to seamlessly navigating the neck.
Whether you’re playing rock, blues, jazz, or any other genre, the CAGED system offers a systematic approach to exploring the guitar. By practicing these forms and applying them to songs like "Under the Bridge," "Holiday," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Creep," and "Brown Eyed Girl," you’ll gain the confidence to play in any key, in any position, with ease.
So pick up your guitar, dive into the CAGED system, and watch your playing reach new heights.
-Ryan
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