CAGED Chord Charts

Here are the CAGED progressions in chord chart form.  These are the first position, most simple fingerings of the 12 chords which are used.  Remember that there are other ways to finger every chord, in different places on the neck.

If you learn these 5 progressions well, and can see their relationships to each other, you've made huge strides toward becoming a real guitar player.
Reading the Chord Charts
  • Just below the chord's name are the notes (usually just 3) which make up the chord.  The are the 1 - 3 - 5 scale notes, in that order.  At the bottom, each played string is identified by which scale note it represents.  If it's a flatted not, it will say something like "3b."
  • X's and O's above the strings either means don't play (X) or play open (O).
  • The numbered black dots suggest the finger you should use to play that string at that fret.  For some chords, like A, you may find another way which suits you, but I've tried to offer the fingerings which work well and offer flexibility in making chord changes.
dot_clear.gif (807 bytes)
1 Chord
(Root)		 6 Chord
(Relative Minor)		 4 Chord 5 Chord (Often played
as a dominant 7th)

dot_clear.gif (807 bytes)
1 Chord
(Root)		 6 Chord
(Relative Minor)		 4 Chord 5 Chord (Often played
as a dominant 7th)
dot_clear.gif (807 bytes)
1 Chord
(Root)		 6 Chord
(Relative Minor)		 4 Chord 5 Chord (Often played
as a dominant 7th)
dot_clear.gif (807 bytes)
1 Chord
(Root)		 6 Chord
(Relative Minor)		 4 Chord 5 Chord (Often played
as a dominant 7th
chord, as shown here)
dot_clear.gif (807 bytes)
1 Chord
(Root)		 6 Chord
(Relative Minor)		 4 Chord 5 Chord (Often played
as a dominant 7th)