{"id":2756,"date":"2015-11-09T13:00:57","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T12:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/?p=2756"},"modified":"2022-03-23T18:38:11","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T17:38:11","slug":"what-are-guitar-positions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/what-are-guitar-positions\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Guitar Positions?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; line-height: 160%; font-weight: bold;\">Throughout your guitar journey you may have seen the term \u2018guitar positions\u2019 crop up here and there. Confused about it\u2019s meaning? You aren\u2019t alone &#8211; it\u2019s one of those guitar terms that causes a lot of misunderstanding for guitar students. And it\u2019s often not explained correctly either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this lesson, you\u2019ll learn exactly what the term \u2018guitar position\u2019 means.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the article, you will have a clear system so that you can confidently play major scales over the entire fretboard, laying the foundation for being able to improvise anywhere on the guitar neck.<\/p>\n<span style=\"--tl-form-height-m:555.828px;--tl-form-height-t:361.672px;--tl-form-height-d:361.672px;\" class=\"tl-placeholder-f-type-shortcode_10980 tl-preload-form\"><span><\/span><\/span>\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<p>Click on any link in the table of contents to jump directly to that topic in this article.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#meaning\">Defining the Meaning of \u2018Guitar Positions\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#major\">Major Scale Patterns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#caged\">The CAGED system<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#memorize\">Exercises To Learn And Memorize the 5 CAGED Patterns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#key\">Using CAGED Patterns with Key Changes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"meaning\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Defining the Meaning of \u2018Guitar Positions\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>The confusion about the term \u2018guitar positions\u2019 arises because it can actually refer to two entirely different guitar fretboard concepts.<\/p>\n<p>For the sake of this article I\u2019ve created my own terms for these two meanings, which are:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Meaning #1: Fret Position<\/strong> &#8211; where the left hand is located on the guitar fretboard<\/li>\n<li><strong>Meaning #2: Scale Pattern &#8211;<\/strong>\u00a0the notes of a scale on the fretboard if you stay in the same <em>fret position<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">Meaning #1: Fret Position<\/h3>\n<p>This is probably the more intuitive way people think of guitar positions, and it\u2019s pretty easy to understand too.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, you&#8217;re referring to where the hand is located on the guitar neck in relation to the frets.<\/p>\n<p>A fret position is designated with a number, e.g. 5th position, 7th position, etc, and the number is based on <em>what fret the first finger would naturally lie on depending on where you are on the neck. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>On sheet music, fret positions are often notated with Roman numerals.<\/p>\n<p>To illustrate a fret position, here&#8217;s an example of a piece that moves through several different fret positions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.1.1.gif\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2887\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.1.1.gif\" alt=\"Fig.1.1\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Barre chords are another good example of fret positions, for example:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.2.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2806\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.2.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 2\" width=\"720\" height=\"331\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.3.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2807\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.3.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 3\" width=\"720\" height=\"327\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Practicing a scale up one string is a good way to gain proficiency in mastering fret position shifts &#8211; see the video below.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch &amp; Play<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E-TvmO0IfcA\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.4.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2808\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.4.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 4\" width=\"720\" height=\"371\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ok &#8211; that\u2019s cleared up one meaning of \u2018guitar positions\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Now let\u2019s look at the other meaning of the term&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">Meaning #2: Scale Patterns<\/h3>\n<p>The term \u2018guitar position\u2019 can also refer to the shapes that a scale makes on different areas of the guitar fretboard.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to illustrate this is with some neck diagrams.\u00a0Let\u2019s take C Major as an example.<\/p>\n<p>If you start with the root note on the 8th fret of the 6th string, and then play <em>across <\/em>the strings all the way to the first string, as opposed to playing <em>up <\/em>one string like in shifting exercise above, you end up with this pattern on the fretboard (root notes in red):<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.5.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2809\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.5.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 5\" width=\"720\" height=\"249\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, if you play C major but play all of the notes of the scale around fret position 5, you\u2019ll get this pattern instead:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.6.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.6.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 6\" width=\"720\" height=\"249\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So in this instance, the term \u2018guitar position\u2019 refers to the patterns the notes of a scale makes on the fretboard if you stay in the same <em>fret position<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>You might have seen this 2nd meaning of \u2018guitar positions\u2019 defined in various ways, such as \u2018scale positions\u2019, \u2018scale shapes\u2019, \u2018fretboard areas\u2019, and \u2018patterns\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>For this article, you\u2019ll refer to this meaning as <em>scale patterns<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Phew! Glad we got that cleared up.<\/p>\n<p>This article is now going to focus on using these two concepts of fret positions and scale patterns to learn the notes of the major scale over the entire fretboard\u00a0so that you can improvise with this scale anywhere on the guitar neck.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look.<br \/>\n<a name=\"major\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Major Scale Patterns<\/h2>\n<p>There are various different \u2018scale pattern systems\u2019 you can learn. The best one to learn initially is known as the Five Pattern System.<\/p>\n<p>To put it in context, here is a neck diagram of a G Major scale over the first 12 frets on the guitar.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.7.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2811\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.7.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 7\" width=\"720\" height=\"249\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The 5 pattern system splits this up into 5 discrete scale patterns on the guitar:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.8.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2812\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.8.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 8\" width=\"720\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.9.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2813\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.9.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 9\" width=\"720\" height=\"510\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Yes, I know what you&#8217;re thinking &#8211; how do you remember which pattern is which?<\/p>\n<p>How do we remember what each shape looks like?<\/p>\n<p>And how do you remember the order of the shapes as you go up the guitar neck?<\/p>\n<p>For the solution to these problems, you need an <em>effective naming convention<\/em> for these 5 patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">Common Naming Conventions for the 5 Patterns<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 518px;\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"58\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shape:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.10.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2814 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.10-150x150.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 10\" width=\"120\" height=\"118\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.11.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2815 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.11-150x150.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 11\" width=\"120\" height=\"118\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.12.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2816 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.12-150x150.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 12\" width=\"120\" height=\"118\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6383\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.13-2.gif\" alt=\"Fig 13\" width=\"120\" height=\"117\" \/><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.14-2.gif\" alt=\"Fig.14\" width=\"120\" height=\"118\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"58\"><strong>Pattern Number<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">1<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">2<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">3<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">4<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"58\"><strong>Modal Name<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">Ionian<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">Dorian<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">Phrygian<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">Mixolydian<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">Aeolian<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"58\"><strong>CAGED Letter<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">E<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">D<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">C<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">A<\/td>\n<td width=\"75\">G<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, there&#8217;s no standardized naming convention for these patterns &#8211; which adds another layer of confusion when trying to understand guitar positions.<\/p>\n<p>Later on in this article, I&#8217;ll explain in details my preferred method for naming and understanding them, but feel free to use one of the other methods if you find it makes more sense to you.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the options:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018Position Number\/Pattern Number\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is the simplest way to label the five patterns.<\/p>\n<p>Each shape is given an ascending number based on the order of the shapes listed above.<\/p>\n<p>A disadvantage of this method is that the pattern number could easily be confused with <em>fret number <\/em>(and you have enough number systems on guitar as it is).<\/p>\n<p>It also won\u2019t help very much for you to remember the patterns, as it doesn\u2019t describe what the pattern looks like or how it functions.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Modal Names<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This system derives its labels from the lowest note of each pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Taking Pattern 2 as an example, the lowest note is an \u2018A\u2019 on the 5th fret, so the scale starting from the first note will be ABCDEF#GA, which is the A Dorian mode &#8211; hence the name \u2018Dorian\u2019 for the pattern.<\/p>\n<p>(For those of you familiar with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/guitar-modes\/\">guitar modes<\/a>, you may notice that Lydian and Locrian modes are missing. The Lydian pattern is on the same fret position as Phrygian, and the Locrian pattern is at the same fret position as Ionian, which is why they&#8217;re omitted in this system.)<\/p>\n<p>You may think that this would be a good way to learn the patterns, especially as a jazz guitarist with the emphasis on modes in jazz theory &#8211; but I disagree.<\/p>\n<p>Each scale pattern essentially has <em>all<\/em> the modes in each pattern depending on what note you start on, so it\u2019s misleading to label a shape as just a single mode like \u2018Dorian\u2019 or \u2018Aeolian\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>A confession &#8211; this is how I actually learned the scale patterns back in the day during my university studies in jazz guitar, but it did cause a bit of confusion when it came to soloing &#8211; the only time it has helped much is when I\u2019m playing modal jazz tunes.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to learn these shapes is by using the CAGED system, a very clever acronym that can unlock the entire fretboard. Let\u2019s take a look.<br \/>\n<a name=\"caged\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>The CAGED system<\/h2>\n<p>The CAGED system is a great way to label and remember the five patterns. The 5 letters &#8211; C, A, G, E, D &#8211; refer to open major chords that you learned on the guitar as a beginner:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.15.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.15.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 15\" width=\"720\" height=\"489\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Because these chords are familiar to nearly every guitarist on the planet, they&#8217;re a great tool to help remember the scale patterns and to also remember the <strong>order<\/strong> of the scale patterns as you go up the neck.<\/p>\n<p>Let me show you how to use them.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">How To Play the Major Scale in Any Key Over The Entire Fretboard with CAGED<\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at Pattern 3 from the grid above:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Scale Pattern 3 = CAGED Pattern \u2018C Shape\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.12.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.12.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 12\" width=\"200\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Out of this pattern, you can plot out a shape that matches the same shape as the open C chord above &#8211; as if it is \u2018hiding\u2019 in the scale pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Note that I\u2019m also including the open strings from the C chord as part of the shape:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.16.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2820\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.16.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 16\" width=\"200\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So rather than calling this \u2018Pattern 3\u2019, you now refer to this pattern as the \u2018C Pattern\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s now get familiar with this pattern.<\/p>\n<p>First, place the pattern up on the 7th fret.<\/p>\n<p>Then, start from the lowest root note (in red) and play the scale all the way up to the highest note of the pattern, then all the way down to the lowest note in the pattern, then finally finish on the note you started, like this:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch &amp; Play<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m3joQt6OvmY\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.17.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2821\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.17.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 17\" width=\"720\" height=\"169\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you look at each of the patterns in turn, likewise you can see that there&#8217;s the relevant open chord shape that \u2018lives\u2019 in each one:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.18.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.18.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 18\" width=\"720\" height=\"510\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">How the CAGED Patterns are Ordered on the Guitar Neck<\/h3>\n<p>The ordering of the CAGED patterns is really nifty.<\/p>\n<p>To illustrate this let\u2019s now play each position in the key of D Major (the notes in grey are where the patterns overlap):<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>D Major:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.19.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2823\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.19.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 19\" width=\"720\" height=\"385\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As we move up the neck from pattern to pattern, the names of the patterns spell &#8211; you guessed it &#8211; <strong>CAGED<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.20.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2824\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.20.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 20\" width=\"720\" height=\"385\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As you play the sequence of patterns up the guitar neck in other keys, a good rule of thumb is to drop the first pattern that is beyond the 14th fret down the octave, in order that the patterns all fit on the most useful area of the guitar neck.<\/p>\n<p>A good example of this is when we play the CAGED patterns in G Major:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>G Major:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.21.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2825\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.21.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 21\" width=\"720\" height=\"399\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the CAGED system, the next pattern following the \u2018C\u2019 pattern will always be the \u2018A\u2019 pattern, following this will be \u2018G\u2019 and so on.<\/p>\n<p>Notice the \u2018E\u2019 pattern is dropped down to the 2nd fret.<\/p>\n<p>Once you get to the \u2018D\u2019 pattern the sequence then goes back to the start &#8211; to the \u2018C\u2019 pattern.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.22.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2826\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.22.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 22\" width=\"720\" height=\"432\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As you can see, the CAGED system is an excellent method for quickly learning what the shapes look like, and also remembering the order of the patterns as you move up the guitar neck.<\/p>\n<p>The Result?<\/p>\n<p>As long as you know the note names of the lowest 3 strings, you can now find any major scale key in <em>any position<\/em>!<br \/>\n<a name=\"memorize\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Exercises To Learn And Memorize the 5 CAGED Patterns<\/h2>\n<p>The following exercises will help you to easily remember the 5 CAGED patterns:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Play each pattern starting from the lowest root note and ascend through the scale. Visualize not only the relevant chord shape in your mind as you play but also all of the root notes &#8211; which can be thought of as \u2018anchor points\u2019 for the pattern.<\/li>\n<li>Play from the highest root note and play descending through the scale &#8211; visualizing the relevant open chord shape and roots.<\/li>\n<li>Play the scales using melodic sequences to build familiarity with the pattern, e.g. by using the \u2018C\u2019 pattern on the 7th fret (giving a G Major scale):<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Listen &amp; Play Along<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-0874b5b2e66136fedaeab4c60265fb6c-6a4afccb5b4c6\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"0874b5b2e66136fedaeab4c60265fb6c\" data-instance_id=\"0874b5b2e66136fedaeab4c60265fb6c-6a4921c02f6c6\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.23.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2827\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.23.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 23\" width=\"720\" height=\"199\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Learn these simple major scale licks in each of the 5 CAGED patterns (you may need to move them up or down an octave depending on what pattern you are playing):<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Listen &amp; Play Along<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-0b33b43ae405732d265add8c11d452ff-6a4afccb5c49f\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"0b33b43ae405732d265add8c11d452ff\" data-instance_id=\"0b33b43ae405732d265add8c11d452ff-6a4921c030cc0\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.24.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2828\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.24.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 24\" width=\"720\" height=\"192\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Listen &amp; Play Along<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-86409e65047f4b6ec37e77cc91ac7996-6a4afccb5d07a\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"86409e65047f4b6ec37e77cc91ac7996\" data-instance_id=\"86409e65047f4b6ec37e77cc91ac7996-6a4921c031c4e\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.25.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2829\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.25.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 25\" width=\"720\" height=\"192\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Listen &amp; Play Along<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-8cefe7b943b1d812621608e936569f11-6a4afccb5dbdd\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"8cefe7b943b1d812621608e936569f11\" data-instance_id=\"8cefe7b943b1d812621608e936569f11-6a4921c032b6f\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.26.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2830\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.26.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 26\" width=\"720\" height=\"201\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Improvise using each of the 5 patterns one at a time in G Major using this backing track.<\/p>\n<p>Start by doing a few rounds on the C shape and then try on each of the rest of the CAGED patterns:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Backing Track<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-6d2734703f87ab16b79b1264f5a85f79-6a4afccb5e74f\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"6d2734703f87ab16b79b1264f5a85f79\" data-instance_id=\"6d2734703f87ab16b79b1264f5a85f79-6a4921c033a8a\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<i>Listen &amp; Play Along<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-5bc15b94dbbaa9fdd2ed897e874b3414-6a4afccb5f2b0\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"5bc15b94dbbaa9fdd2ed897e874b3414\" data-instance_id=\"5bc15b94dbbaa9fdd2ed897e874b3414-6a4921c0349de\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.27.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2831\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.27.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 27\" width=\"720\" height=\"72\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t worry if your solo doesn\u2019t sound particularly interesting &#8211; that\u2019s not the point of this exercise.<\/p>\n<p>This is simply a method to gain familiarity with each of the 5 patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">\u2018Threading\u2019 The Patterns Together<\/h3>\n<p>Imagine as if you&#8217;re stitching together a quilt. The 5 patterns are like 5 separate pieces of cloth.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you&#8217;ve gained familiarity with the 5 patterns, it\u2019s now time to learn how to \u2018thread\u2019 the patterns together so you can switch between them during your solos, enabling you to improvise anywhere on the fretboard at your will.<\/p>\n<p>Cool huh?<\/p>\n<p>The process involves using fret position shifts to move to and from each scale pattern as you move up and down the neck.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start by using D Major again.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"grey\">Pattern Threading Exercises<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ll start by simply playing the D Major scale across CAGED patterns C, A, and G (see video):<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch &amp; Play<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iR-w219KEqU\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.28.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2832\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.28.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 28\" width=\"720\" height=\"196\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Now use this simple melodic sequence to highlight each CAGED pattern as you move through it (note &#8211; some of the fingering is different on the way down to make it more playable) :<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Watch &amp; Play<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2Q9tV2rruG0\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.29.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2833\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.29.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 29\" width=\"720\" height=\"574\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Now see if you can do it on your own.<\/p>\n<p>Try to shift from one pattern to the other, starting from a root note in one pattern to end up in the root note of another.<\/p>\n<p>Just experiment &#8211; there are millions of possible fingering combinations, so it\u2019s good to be able to shift spontaneously between patterns using different fingerings.<\/p>\n<p>It helps to keep firmly in mind the root notes of each pattern as a reference point to go by as you move up and down the neck.<\/p>\n<p>If it helps, visualize the relevant open chord shape as you play each pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, try to improvise over this backing track in D Major whilst moving from pattern to pattern.<\/p>\n<p>Improvising is not only a great way to create music but also an excellent tool to learn scale patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Backing Track<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-ea100ac9746dee7ac52a1536575ee419-6a4afccb5fe13\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"ea100ac9746dee7ac52a1536575ee419\" data-instance_id=\"ea100ac9746dee7ac52a1536575ee419-6a4921c035965\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.30.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2834\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.30.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 30\" width=\"720\" height=\"70\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a name=\"key\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Using CAGED Patterns with Key Changes<\/h2>\n<p>Now you&#8217;re ready to practice changing keys.<\/p>\n<p>This is especially relevant for jazz, as the key changes in jazz are thick and fast &#8211; in pop or rock there are usually very few key changes to deal with.<\/p>\n<p>For this exercise, start with one of the CAGED patterns in G Major and then move to each new key using the relevant pattern <em>on or near the fret position you are currently at<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>As an example, take this key progression that moves from G Major\u00a0to Eb Major, then finally to C Major.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Backing Track<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-58b29e8d254c4a4ee9651d775648869c-6a4afccb60968\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"58b29e8d254c4a4ee9651d775648869c\" data-instance_id=\"58b29e8d254c4a4ee9651d775648869c-6a4921c0368ef\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.31.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2835\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.31.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 31\" width=\"720\" height=\"304\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s an example of one combination of the patterns you could use to navigate these chord changes:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 260px;\" width=\"782\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"150\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.32.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-2836 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.32-150x150.gif\" alt=\"Fig.32\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"150\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6386 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/33.1-2-150x150.gif\" alt=\"33.1\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/td>\n<td width=\"150\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.34.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-2838\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.34-150x150.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 34\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"150\">\u2018C\u2019 Pattern on 7th fret for G Major<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">\u2018G\u2019 Pattern on 6th fret for Eb Major<\/td>\n<td width=\"150\">\u2018E\u2019 Pattern on 7th fret for C Major<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve mastered the above starting with one of the CAGED patterns, repeat the exercise with a different one until you can easily change keys with all of the five CAGED patterns.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s another chord progression you can practice in a similar manner, starting in the key of Bb Major, then moving to Ab Major before finishing in C Major.<\/p>\n<p>Choose a spot on the guitar neck and see if you can figure out which patterns to play over this progression.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Backing Track<\/i><br \/>\n<div class=\"waveplayer-container\"><div id=\"waveplayer-8091911adbd0dae7e27564f961c21cc6-6a4afccb614b4\" class=\"waveplayer loading wvpl-skin-w2-evolution wvpl-palette-800e3a14c86733ad9ccc96fd80850d88 wvpl-style-light wvpl-size-xs wvpl-shape-rounded \" data-limit=\"0\" data-mode=\"normal\" data-config_id=\"8091911adbd0dae7e27564f961c21cc6\" data-instance_id=\"8091911adbd0dae7e27564f961c21cc6-6a4921c03782d\">\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-left-box\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/audiobg.png)\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-interface\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-volume-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-info\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-prev wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-play\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-next wvpl-disabled\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-icon wvpl-volume wvpl-volume_up\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-poster\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-right-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-overlay\">\n\t\t\t<svg>\n\t\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#waveform-animation\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-loading-progress\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"message\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-position\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-duration\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-waveform\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-infobar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playing-info\"><div class=\"wvpl-infoblock\"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wvpl-playlist-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.35.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2839\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Fig.35.gif\" alt=\"guitar positions 35\" width=\"720\" height=\"304\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Well done &#8211; you have successfully learned how to play a scale in any key, over the whole fretboard.<\/p>\n<p>Give yourself a pat on the back!<\/p>\n<p>Starting out initially with the 5 CAGED scale patterns as outlined in this article is a very good initial step to mastering the fingerboard.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n<p>This article only dealt with the major scale.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the other scale types, such as harmonic minor, melodic minor and pentatonic minor, also have 5 patterns you need to learn (that are really just alterations of the CAGED patterns).<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been great to have had this opportunity to delve deep into this often misunderstood topic of guitar positions.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the two different meanings of the term is very important, and by using the 5-pattern CAGED system you now have a secure and elegant method to understand how guitar positions work, so you can navigate the guitar fretboard with confidence.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/courses\/product\/complete-chord-melody\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-15671 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/chord-melody-jazz-guitar.png\" alt=\"Chord Melody Jazz Guitar Course\" width=\"779\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/chord-melody-jazz-guitar.png 779w, https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/chord-melody-jazz-guitar-300x116.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/chord-melody-jazz-guitar-768x296.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this music theory lesson, you will learn what guitar positions are and how they can help you become a better guitar player.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":2826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music-theory","category-jazz-guitar-for-beginners"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2756"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2756\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jazzguitar.be\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}