Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

Naming C shape chords up the neck

Home › Forums › Music Theory › Naming C shape chords up the neck

  • This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 9 months ago by Vorocnan.
Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • May 29, 2021 at 2:07 pm #254227
      Robert K
      Participant

        Hello all,
        Name’s Robbie. I’m a newb on this forum. Been with AM for a while. Been with CAGED for a longer while. I understand it pretty well but some of the nuts and bolts I’m a bit less on top of…
        So on to the question –
        In caged the movable chord forms for A-shape, G-shape, E-shape & D-shaped are just the notes on those strings. But there’s no C-string. I know that it’s possible to name them going down off the the notes on the D string or up from the notes on the B string but I’m a bit dyslexic so adding and subtracting at the same time as keeping track of sharps/flats is a bit problematic so, I was hoping that Brian or someone else has a 12 fret chart of names of the C-shape chords at each fret. It would make my guitar learning a whole lot simpler. I did do some Googling with no love. Does anyone know of such a thing or something like it? Of course a 24 fret chart will do as well.
        I’d appreciate the help
        Best to all, R

      • June 16, 2021 at 7:23 pm #257097
        BobCoward
        Participant

          Hi Robbie,

          Bob here, and I have been playing guitar for almost 50 years and am still a beginner. I looked at CAGED because I amputated part of my left index finger and was looking for a way to overcome some limitations chording.

          AS I understand it, you derive the chord name by reference of the root note in the CAGED system. The CAGED C shape has its’ root note on the 5th string (pinky).

          So placing the CAGED C shape where your pinky is on the 5th fret gives you a “D” chord using the C shape. As I understand it but I could be wrong but pretty confident I am giving you heads up info since I Googled before typing

          Regards,

          Bob

        • June 18, 2021 at 4:23 am #257148
          Duffy P
          Participant

            032010 – C shape

            335553 – A shape

            875558 – G shape (impossible to play completely)

            8 10 10 9 8 8 – E shape

            12 10 10 12 13 12 – D shape (also impossible to play fully)

            Those are all the c chords in the CAGED system.

          • June 18, 2021 at 6:02 am #257155
            JFL
            Participant

              This probably isn’t what you are looking for, but I believe most of the info is there, minus the sharps and flats.

              What helps me playing C chord shapes is knowing the notes on the fretboard on both the A and B strings.

              When you play a C cowboy chord, your ring finger and index finger are on C notes. (A string, 3rd fret and B string 1st fret are C notes).

              So for example E major. You know the E note on the A string is at the 7th fret. Play a regular chord shape staring there, your index finger will land on the B string 5th fret (also E note).

              So for caged, you technically move the Chord shape around with your pinky hitting the base note on the A string. Visualize where your pinky would land and that’s your chord.

              If you know where the root note is on the B string it’s even easier to find. Have your middle finger hit the root note on the B string when playing the Keith Richards ‘start me up’ move. That’s your chord.

              Basically, you have to learn the notes of the fret board to make it easier. I know it sucks. I put if off for years and years. I still don’t have it down 100% but it helps alot.

              3tucuvr73i911

              JFL

            • June 28, 2021 at 2:23 pm #260385
              Kidblue
              Participant

                Is there an actual CAGED lesson? I can’t seem to find one.

              • June 28, 2021 at 6:46 pm #260511
                Vorocnan
                Participant

                  Hi Kidblue try going to the lessons page and type caged in the search box click the green search button should give a list of videos with caged.

              • Author
                Posts
              Viewing 5 reply threads
              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
              Log In

              Search Forums

              Quick Links

              • Latest posts
              • Most popular posts
              • Posts Freshness
              • Posts with most replies
              • My active posts
              • All my posts
              • Posts with my reply

              Links

              • Blog
              • Resources
              • About
              • Contact
              • FAQ
              • Refunds & Cancellations
              • Sitemap

              Recent Lessons

              Fingerstyle Blues Ideas – Blues you can play by yourself on acoustic guitar – Guitar Lesson EP633

              Easily remember and use minor licks by connecting them to basic chord shapes – Guitar Lesson – EP632

              Blues lead played across the fretboard using shapes from the C.A.G.E.D. System Guitar Lesson – EP631

              Contact

              For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
              For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
              • Facebook
              • Twitter
              • YouTube

              © 2026 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

              Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

              Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

              • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

              Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
              • Weekly Lessons
              • Take The Tour
              • Forum
              • Hear From Our Members
              • Membership Sign Up
              • Log In

              Insert/edit link

              Enter the destination URL

              Or link to existing content

                No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.