The CAGED system can be very useful to develope the abilty to find chords and lead lines in differing keys all over the neck. Notice how each of the chord shapes fit inside the respective scales.
Chord
Major Pentatonic
Major Scale (Ioian)
Chord
Major Pentatonic
Major Scale (Ioian)
Chord
Major Pentatonic
Major Scale (Ioian)
Chord
Major Pentatonic
Major Scale (Ioian)
Chord
Major Pentatonic
Major Scale (Ioian)
Find Chords & Line Lines
All of the above chords and scales are in the key of ‘A’, any key can be applied simply by adjusting to the correct root notes which will mean moving to the right start position on the guitar neck.
This system is based on the relationship between the common major chord and major scale shapes. It is a useful method for visualising chord tones across the neck of the guitar. If you can easily find the notes on the fifth and sixth strings of the guitar and become familiar with the CAGED system you will be able to find any major chord tone very easily anywhere on the neck.
The order of the chords always remains in the same sequence C A G E D starting from the C or if you were starting from the D then the order would be D C A G E because after the D chord it starts over again from the C.
As you get better at finding the notes on the fret-board and once you get used to visualising the CAGED chords across the neck you will find it easy to find these chords in any position almost instantly. By applying the right scale over the chord creates the possibility of playing lead lines freely and easily all over the neck (In any respective key).