The 5 Shapes On The Fretboard (that's it... there's no more...)

In case you missed the previous video, or you want to go back and try building other chords from these shapes now, the previous video is here.

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192 responses to “The 5 Chord Shapes”

  1. Ann says:

    Griff, you are a gifted teacher. You explanations are easy to understand and when practiced yield changes. I have Fretboard Freedom, and learned more in a very short video than I have from a week worth of studying from a book.

  2. Jim Donovan says:

    Wicked video. The best I’ve seen or viewed on the CAGED method. Thanks for the practice tips too.

  3. Tab says:

    This is the first time I understood the caged system. Thank you!

  4. DJ says:

    This is a powerful method. My understanding of the fretboard was multiplied many fold, and I’ve been playing (at) the guitar for a long time. Finally, it all makes sense. Thanks a million, Griff. You are the world’s best guitar (music) teacher.

  5. Matt says:

    Hey Griff is their any chance of you showing the actual tabs or fingerings of the caged practice method as I can’t tell what strings your barring on some of the chords please.

  6. Gene says:

    Hi Griff, awesome teaching on guitar theory making it simple, learn 5 shapes ( I know all of them, been using) but didn’t call it “caged”, wow, I love theory and how you can apply it!! Also really liked your numbers method of learning chords! Could you reexplain the G7#9 chord! Your charts didn’t have the G in it? I know there’s a reason? Please explain– Gene from Kona , mahalo

  7. Gene says:

    Awesome teaching on the 5 shapes, I have been using those shapes but didn’t call them “caged”; so the understanding is great! Also, thank you very much for the class on chord construction/spelling; the G7#9 chord doesn’t have the root or fifth note, why is that, and, can arpeggios be played in any order for a Lea, or is there a protocol even in creative leads! Love your teaching Griff! Continue on

  8. Louis Lince says:

    Hi Griff, My email has changed to louis.lince@pobroadband.co.uk please can you amend your mailings to me

  9. Pastor Kevin M Jones says:

    Have the book will get back on it thanks

  10. martin says:

    great video thanks

  11. ali says:

    Good teaching skills.

  12. Dave Sinclair says:

    This is great……. but I only have three fingers

  13. This is great ……but I only have three fingers.

    • MoreFreedom says:

      The main thing is to understand the connections between the cords, not necessarily be able to finger them all. So you’ll have to figure out some 3 finger fingerings muting and/or eliminating a string that works for you to do the practice. Have fun. And way to go playing guitar with fewer fingers – that’s an accomplishment!

    • Jeff says:

      Google “shell chords”.

  14. Can you give the exact diagram of where your fingers are supposed to be placed? It's hard to determine from the video for me thank youpam says:

    Can you give the exact diagram of where your fingers are supposed to be placed? It’s hard to determine from the video for me thank you

  15. Ray Jackson (UK) says:

    Griff, I was teaching myself this when I was a whipper snapper some 30+ years ago, out of curiosity! I didn’t realize it was CAGED as I’d never heard of CAGED, I was simply doing it as a finger stretching and barring excercise. So, well done YOU for enlightening me, after all the years. Now I will use it in earnest. Cheers, Ray UK.

    • Joseph Thompson says:

      Me too Ray…. I had always known what an “E” form bar chord was as well as an “A” form bar chord… with those 2 forms was I wad able to play 80% of the rock tunes at the time, lol….. so just continuing to finger C, G & D form bar chords has already given me the muscle memory from years of doing it..

  16. Causmo says:

    I want hug you right now! Thank you for your beautiful method of teaching. Of all the guitar vids I have watched, Imho, yours are by far the easiest and most enjoyable to watch. Thank you!

  17. johnnylopes says:

    hey i realy like it!!

  18. abazh says:

    This player doesn’t show total time and time watched. It’s awkwardю

  19. John says:

    Thanks Griff for explaining the GAGED system. I’ve been using it forever without knowing. You really know how to teach

  20. do you have this in 5 separate tab sheets? this would help me, while I’m learning to pick it up by ear. Remember I am 79

  21. Rosella says:

    Morning Griff, Sorry I by accident lost all of myapprox. 300 archive emails from you(kept saving to commence videos&lessons);yet one thing after another happens,like home flood and etc.I watched this one, 5 shape (caged); interesting, ty. Take care. Have excellent Sun and further days&nights ahead. Sincerely, Rosella

    • Dave Douglas says:

      Hi Roselle, such a shame about all your archives.

      I just finally started loading these onto flash drives to be kept in another location. I don’t want to lose this stuff, super valuable!

      Thanks a million Griff for making these available as downloads! Very rare generosity. Such a gift, super big of you man. Thanks amigo!

      Dave in the Adirondacks

  22. Mitch Banks says:

    Thank you Griff, makes total sense and makes it a fun way to learn triads. Your awesome Blessings brother.

  23. Len says:

    Great informative lesson. Thanks for all.

  24. dan says:

    Play more…talk less…thanks

  25. David says:

    Can you please Tab the CAGED.

    Thanks

  26. David says:

    Hello and thanks for your time and videos.. Can u tab the CAGED and all the you show. It really helps a lot.

    Thank you
    David

  27. Jim Shannon says:

    always enjoy your videos.. sorry just can`t sign up for your course at this time.. thanks again.. J Shannon

  28. Ian Robins says:

    Thank so much Griff. I’m aware of all these shapes but never saw the value in stringing them all together before. Great exercise for these tired old hands. I like the theory of chords segment in the last one too.

  29. Dave Delisio says:

    Griff, where is the video on chords and scales you referred to? Love your teaching, you have taught me so much!
    Dave

  30. Ravi says:

    Do great players use chord shapes to solo over chord progressions?For example, if a “C” chord is playing in the back ground. Would I be playing notes out of that “C” chord shape or use the “C” scale straight up?

  31. kim says:

    i agree that the instruction is good. But for some of us, myself included, our fingers can’t go back and forth to form those chords as easily as it sounds. And for me that is the frustrating part – I have to think about how to form the chords and hope I can form them, the A form is particularly difficult, and then move from one to the other. Maybe one of these days…..

    • Anton Boehm says:

      Practice is the key. Don’t worry about sounding each string just work on the shapes and you WILL get there.

    • Joseph Thompson says:

      Hey Kim… like Griff said, just practice playing the open form chords near the nut, but like he said, leave you index finger free and practice making those chords using just your 2nd, 3rd & 4th finger..(and yes, G is a bitch, lol)
      This will help your dexterity before you actually start moving up the neck…

  32. I was playin for 20yrs before I stumbled on this, and another decade all the scales are starting to Link up, I never could have figured out all this without the fantastic amount of knowledge and experience you and your peers share, Thank you. A vast leap forward for music from rewinding cassette tapes trying to imitate sound alone.

  33. Don says:

    For me the D and C shapes are the same except up 2 frets, perhaps because I play open D with a barred index over 1st and 3rd strings.

  34. I knew the caged cords but not explained that way.
    Thanks

  35. Lee says:

    MOST EXCELLENT!

  36. always the best!
    never disappoints

  37. Peter Bas says:

    Hey Griff,
    60 BPM is average resting heartbeat, seems to be he default for rhythm and skill acquisition melding together. Also, for those with marching experience, military, band, etc., marching cadence is double @120. Lots of shuffle grooves around that click. Just seems natural, I guess.
    Thanks

  38. Big E says:

    Love it. Finger memory to brain memory says it all. It’s what we when singing and playing. I’m experiencing exponential growth thanks to your daily emails and Classic Rock Guitar Unleashed.
    Many thanks

  39. Finally. I get the CAGED system now. First time anyone’s explained it to make sense.

  40. Art says:

    What about the “F” shape?

    • Mike Dr says:

      There is no F shape. You don’t want to confuse the chord names with the shape. For instance if you play an E-shape full barre chord on the first fret you’re playing an F chord. Move the E shape up to the 5th fret and you’re playing an A chord. Etc.

  41. ROBYN from Oz says:

    I have been working on the CAGED system. I studied, trying to find my own way of remembering it. I hit on the same method you just explained. Now I need to follow your advice in practical terms. Great video as usual. Thanks Griff

  42. James Copeland says:

    Unfortunately the video was off set so it was impossible to see what the left hand was doing. I am sure the video could have been useful.

  43. John A says:

    excellent lesson Griff ! !’ve been waiting for a long time to learn this part of music, always knew it could be done never knew why and how

    keep up the good work Master Griff !!

  44. Bruno Madsen says:

    Have known these shapes in a casual way for years but have never practiced one shape after another every second – you weren’t kidding – not sounding spectacular… yet! Thanks for your great lessons…

  45. Bill says:

    Until now, my eyes have glazed over when seeing some of the explanations for CAGED. You have unglazed my eyes, I watched the whole video but had a grip after the first few minutes. Thanks!

  46. Bob Clarke says:

    Light bulb moment!

  47. Paul Raby says:

    Great lesson! Many thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  48. Andy Tan says:

    Hi Griff. greetings to you. I was enjoying this video until it reached the 14.24 when the glitch started. It kept on and off with breaking audio. Anyway you can help? Thks.

    • Griff says:

      It must have been something local, I can’t make it fail on my end, I’m sorry. You can download the video and play it locally, that will probably work better.

  49. Mark Dickherber says:

    The man has spoken! You must believe! Thanks griff!

  50. Anton Boehm says:

    I understand the CAGED system but it’s always good to look at it from a different perspective. Thanks Griff for another very valuable lesson!

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