A major or minor triad consists of just three notes: root, third and fifth. Exactly these three notes can be played very compactly on the three highest strings – G, B and the high E string. Such small shapes sound transparent and are great for accompaniment, fills or playing chords in higher positions.
The three shapes D, A and E from the CAGED system each provide a complete triad chord on these three strings. Depending on which shape you choose, a different chord tone (root, third or fifth) sits at the bottom on the G string, which produces a different inversion of the same triad. This lets you play the same chord at various spots on the fretboard.
The three shapes also make it easy to switch between the chords within a cadence. The individual chords then sound in roughly the same register and therefore blend well together. Using the circle of fifths and the suggestion buttons below the fretboard, you can try out suggestions for switching between the chords.
Pick a root note and a shape (D, A or E) below to see the matching triad in its various inversions.
New to chords? We explain everything about chords and inversions step by step. Chords explained →
The buttons are suggestions for how the keys from the circle of fifths can be combined with a matching CAGED shape on the top 3 strings – not fixed rules.
CAGED stands for the five open chord shapes C, A, G, E and D that most beginning guitarists learn first. Each of these shapes can be moved up the neck with a barre and then produces the same chord at a different spot on the fretboard.
Line up all five shifted shapes one after another and they overlap seamlessly, covering the entire fretboard – the sequence C → A → G → E → D keeps repeating. The CAGED system helps you recognise the same notes and chords in different positions and find your way around the fretboard.
New to the CAGED system? We take a closer look at the CAGED system in our CAGED Roadmap →