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Guitar Fretboard Theory (CAGED) The 5 Types of “C” Major Chords (C, E, G)

By Dub-R

This chart shows that by using just 5 chords, you can connect the entire Guitar fretboard. These 5 types of chords are known by their name in the open position (C, A, G, E, and D, and they connect in that order up the neck). Each of the fingerings be-low are the 5 ways of playing a “C” Major chord. You can play a chord progression in the open position, or high on the neck, or in between. There are 125 possible combinations for a simple C-F-G progression. Not all are going to necessarily sound great, or be easy to finger. To play other than a C, A, G, E, or D chord, play one of them but move it up or down a whole or half-step, ie: to play a B just finger one of the 5 C chords, and then move it down 1/2 step. From these 5 Major chords natu-rally flow the 5 types of Major scales, perhaps the greatest value of this method. To make a Minor chord, just lower the E to Eb, lower the C to Bb for a Dom.-7th, lower the C to a B for Major-7th, etc. Same with scales.

nut

C

E

D

B

G

A

E A G

(either/or)

E D

The 5 Types of Chords in the Open Position (see how they connect?):

nut V IX

VII 8va III

C A G E D

E

D

B

G

A

E

(either/or)

E

G

C

G

E

C

G

G

C

E

C

G

E

C

E

C

G

E

G

C

= Open

X