Quick Update

Wow, I really haven't posted here in a long time. Well, that will change. I am still into the guitar and playing. I plan on putting more lessons up and discussions on all things guitar.

I even wonder if I've moved beyond the CAGED method since starting this blog. Yes, there are certain aspects of CAGED that help, especially if one is familiar with the Circle of Fifths, but I think Modes are probably the best way to go for the serious guitar theorist.

While I will have the occasional lesson posted here, I think this site will be better served as a site that discusses guitars, hence: TalkGuitars. In fact, I may open this up as a community with multiple posters if it ever grows to that need.

I am solely using my acoustic guitar right now, though I do pick up my electric once in a while so I don't become too rusty.

A Form of CAGED

Now that we have looked at the C form along with how to play the major pentatonic in that form, we will temporarily move away from C and go onto the next letter, A. (If this is your first visit, it may be helpful for you to refer to my first lesson on the CAGED method here)

As discussed, the open A chord is a Triad Chord. This of course means that it requires a root, 3rd, and a 5th. The diagram below draws out the location of the A chord:

Because E is one of the notes in an A chord, you can strum all 6 strings without compromising the sound, when played open. The number structure of an A form chord (we'll skip the low E string) is:

Root
Fifth
Root
Third

Or you can repeat 1513 until you have the structure memorized. (Just so you know the actual notes played here are A, E, A, and C#). Later, I will briefly go over the major scale so you can figure out the notes of any scale on your own.

Moving up the neck of the guitar, pick a fret, and always remember to identify your roots! Since we now know that for an A form chord like C, the first root appears on the A string (second string). In the example below, we will play the D chord using the A form:
If you are having difficulty barring all three notes, try to practice slowly. If after practicing it still seems impossible, you can use your middle, ring, and pinky finger to play the bottom three notes on the chord. Try plucking each note one at a time and name that number. Finding the root is especially important. I can't stress that enough. Once you identified your roots, you are almost there. Remember the pattern and play that chord.

Try going up and down the neck. Identify the roots and their corresponding letter names. Challenge yourself some more and try to name the notes of the 3rds and 5ths. I hope you are starting to notice the pattern here.

Pentatonic Major Scale using the C Form in CAGED

The Pentatonic Major Scale is a great introduction to scales. As identified by its name, the pentatonic scale simply has 5 notes, whereas, the regular major scale has 7. The value of the pentatonic is that once learned, you can solo using the various notes of that scale over any key. So, if a song is in the key A, you find your root of the scale (A) and go from there.

Since we are on the C chord forms of CAGED, we'll look at playing the Major Pentatonic using the C form in the key of D.

Here again, is the setup for C Form D:

Remember, that with C form anychord, your setup is always Root, 3rd, 5th, Root and Third. Remember to always identify your roots. For C form, they are on the A string and the B string. Now having identified the roots, remember where the Thirds and Fifth fall in.

To get to the point, a major pentatonic scale needs a 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Using the diagram as a map, start on the fifth fret on the A string (D).



Use your pinky finger to pluck the 1, the index to play the 2, the ring to play the 3, index the 5, ring the 6, middle the 1, ring the third, and the index the 1. Play this scale slowly up and down repeating the numbers, and remember to always identify your roots (1s).

The CAGED Method Introduction

For starters, a good technique to release the mysteries of the guitar is to begin the process of learning the CAGED guitar methodology.

If you understand your basic open chords, you are well on your way learning the neck of the guitar (even if you don't realize it). If you have learned some basic songs, then at this point you obviously know the five basic triad(*1) chords of C, A, G, E, and D (Hence the acronym CAGED).

Now, I will go into further detail later, but as an example, let's take the form of the basic triad chord C.

Play the C chord slowly.

The first note on the A string is the C note or 1st (root).
The second on the D string is the E note or 3rd.
The third note on the G string is the G note or 5th.
The fourth on the B string is the C note (again!) or 1st (root again).
The fifth on the E string is the E note (again) or 3rd (again).

Now, looking up, just focus on the numbers on the end of those five sentences. There is a pattern developing. Keep going, it will soon make sense.

In a triad chord, the basic rule for a MAJOR chord is that it must have a 1, a 3, and a 5.

1,3,5. The C chord technically only has 3 notes to complete it. There are two roots, and two thirds, 1 fifth.

Once you know where the root fits on this basic C chord, you can then move up the neck of the guitar to create the next note, D:

The last note (the second 3rd) is optional. Most simply play the 1 - 3 - 5 -1 without the third. Practice this in D and other notes up in down the scale. Pick one note at a time, and sing the number of that note for the chord (1), then the second (3), so and so forth. Once you remember the number pattern of C in the CAGED method, you will be able to add scales easily.