CAGED Guitar Shapes

The CAGED system is a fundamental approach to understanding the guitar fretboard. It's based on five basic open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D, which can be moved up and down the neck to play the same chord in different positions.

Why Learn CAGED?

Master the entire fretboard
Find chords in multiple positions
Create more interesting chord progressions
Understand how scales and chords relate
Improve your soloing and improvisation

Key Concepts

Root Movement: Each shape connects to the next, creating a continuous pattern across the fretboard
Interval Visualization: The color-coding helps you see how chord tones are arranged in each shape
Shape Connection: The C shape leads to A, A to G, G to E, E to D, and D back to C
Barre Chord Application: These shapes form the basis for barre chords when moved up the neck

Practical Applications

Rhythm Playing: Use different shapes for varied voicings in chord progressions
Lead Guitar: Use shapes as frameworks for scale patterns and arpeggios
Songwriting: Create unique chord voicings and inversions
Improvisation: Navigate the fretboard with confidence using familiar shapes

Each diagram below shows how these shapes look in their original positions. The intervals are color-coded to help you understand the chord construction, or you can switch to finger positions for practical playing guidance.

Reading the Diagrams

Intervals Mode: Shows the musical function of each note (1 = root, 3 = third, 5 = fifth)
Fingers Mode: Shows which fingers to use (1-4, O = open string)
Vertical Lines: Represent the guitar strings (from right to left: E, A, D, G, B, e)
Horizontal Lines: Represent the frets

CAGED System Pattern Across the Fretboard

C Shape

A Shape

G Shape

E Shape

D Shape

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This visualization shows how the CAGED shapes overlap and connect across the fretboard. Each colored region represents a shape, and the overlapping areas show where shapes transition into one another. The colored dots show the intervals within each shape (1 = root, 3 = third, 5 = fifth).

Notice how each shape flows into the next, creating a continuous pattern that repeats every 12 frets. This connection between shapes is key to mastering the entire fretboard.

IntervalsFingers

C Shape

Characteristics: The C shape is known for its bright, open sound and is commonly used in folk and country music.

Key Features:

Root note on the A string (5th string)
Strong bass-to-treble voicing
Excellent for arpeggios and fingerpicking

Intervals