Photos provided by: KEVIN SERGENT
Greetings! The power of utilizing the CAGED system for rhythm or lead guitar comes into play when we link up the 5 shapes across the fretboard by turning them into barre chords. To begin, we will use the CAGED system to play a C chord using all 5 shapes, all across the fretboard starting with the C shape in open position, then using the A shape in 3rd position as a barre chord. We will follow this with the G shape in 5th position as a barre chord paired with the E shape as a barre chord in 8th position. Finally, we will utilize the D shape, move it up the fretboard as a barre chord into 10th position and play it as a C chord. This will show us how the root notes link up, connecting the CAGED chord shapes across the fretboard!
All of our fingers, with the exception of the one(s) being used to barre, will be curled at the first and second knuckles, creating a bridge under each finger so that the ONLY part of each finger that touches ANYTHING is our fingertip. If our fingers are curled properly, the notes produced by each string including the open ones will ring out clearly and unhindered. If a finger is making a partial barre, such as the “one finger A”, then the finger making the partial barre would be curled at the 2nd knuckle only while the 1st knuckle would be slightly hyper-extended.
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Starting with the C shape in open position as a C chord, place your 1st finger on the 2nd string, first fret. Next we will place the 2nd finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Finally, we place the 3rd finger on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Notice that the 1st and 3rd strings are open. Strum from the 5th string down keeping in mind that the 6th string will not be used at this time. (See diagram 1)
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Next, the A shape played in 3rd position as a C barre chord. To start, barre the first 5 strings on the 3rd fret with your index finger. Notice the 6th string is not being used at this time. Next, place either ‘3 finger A #2’ or ‘1 finger A’ two frets in front of that. (For detailed instructions on the fingerings for ‘3 finger A #2’ & ‘1 finger A’, please see the article “The Power of Basic Chord Shapes - Using the CAGED system: Part I) To make ‘3 finger A #2’ in this context, place your 2nd finger on the 4th string 5th fret, followed by the 3rd finger on the 3rd string 5th fret. Finally place the 4th finger on the 2nd string 5th fret. Strum from the 5th string down. For ‘1 finger A’, barre strings 2-4 at the 5th fret with the 3rd finger by curling at the 2nd knuckle only and hyper extending at the 1st knuckle. Strum from the 5th string down. (See diagram 2)
Bear in mind, the C and A shape share the same string (5th string) and location (3rd fret) on the fretboard for their lowest root note when the C shape is played in open position as a C chord, and the A shape is played in 3rd position as a C barre chord.
Next, the G shape played in 5th position as a C barre chord. To start, barre the first 3 strings on the 5th fret with your 1st finger. Next, place ‘3 finger G #2’ two frets in front of that. The fingering would be 2nd finger on the 5th string, 7th fret. 3rd finger on the 6th string 8th fret. 4th finger on the 1st string 8th fret. Strum from the 6th string down. (See diagram 3)
Next, the E shape played in 8th position as a C barre chord. To start, barre all 6 strings with your index finger on the 8th fret. Next, place the E shape directly in front of that. The fingering would be 2nd finger on the 3rd string, 9th fret. 3rd finger on the 5th string, 10th fret. 4th finger on the 4th string, 10th fret. Strum from the 6th string down. (See diagram 4)
Notice that the G and E shape share the same string (6th string) and location (8th fret) on the fretboard for their lowest root note when the G shape is placed in 5th position as a C barre chord, and the E shape is placed in 8th position as a C barre chord.
Finally, the D shape played in 10th position as a C barre chord. To start, barre the first 4 strings on the 10th fret with your index finger. Notice the 5th & 6th strings are not being used at this time. Place the D shape 2 frets in front of that. The fingering would be 2nd finger on the 3rd string, 12th fret. 3rd finger on the 1st string, 12th fret. 4th finger on the 2nd string, 13th fret. Strum from the 4th string down. (See diagram 5)
Notice the D shape claims the 4th string for the placement of its lowest root note. When placed in 10th position as a barre chord, the lowest root note would be 4th string, 10th fret.
Next, we will discuss how to use the CAGED system to play an A chord utilizing all 5 shapes; all across the fretboard starting with the A shape in open position. Happy playing!
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