GUITAR
THE CAGED SYSTEM: OWN YOUR FRETBOARD | David Harsh
What if I told you that you’ ve been playing the same chord in five different places on the guitar— and you might not even know you’ re doing it?
Today I’ m going to show you something that is going to permanently change the way you look at your guitar neck. It’ s called the CAGED system. And once you see it— you can’ t unsee it.
My method of unpacking the CAGED system is unlike any other method I’ ve seen. I encourage you to watch the accompanying video, because it will provide additional enhancements to your eyes, and especially your ears, where this article can only provide a visual connection.
We’ re going to start simple and ramp up. You probably know these five open Major chord shapes:
What do these chord names spell? CAGED. That is actually the best way to remember this system. Let’ s break down exactly how this works.
THE PIANO CONNECTION The piano actually contains hidden clues that will unlock this process. This will make your guitar life so much easier. In the included image, I’ ve marked 5 piano notes with colors, and I’ m also including a fretboard with the same corresponding colors – both on the guitar, and on a corresponding diagram.
In the next few minutes, this fretboard is going to start to make a whole lot more sense. Follow my logic here, because once you get the CAGED system in your mind, you’ ll be able to look at a guitar neck and see exactly where to put your capo and your fingers – and it will become second nature.
42 June 2026 Subscribe for Free...