Learning to apply the guitar number system to chord progressions will literally kick down the door to mastering the guitar fretboard.

In previous lessons we’ve learned about the CAGED system for learning guitar chords and scales. Another system that is useful for learning scales is the 3 notes per string system.

Playing chord progressions by position is a great way to familiarize yourself with the different chord voicings found all over the neck. It helps open up the fretboard and reduces dependency on only playing open chords and basic barre chord shapes.

The CAGED system is a way to describe the layout of the guitar fretboard in a logical way. This cheatsheet gives you the chords, scales, and arpeggios for each of the major CAGED shapes.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a guitar system to easily allow you to visualize and connect the guitar fretboard up and down the neck? The CAGED guitar system does just that. It lays out the guitar fretboard in a logical manner, allowing you to easily navigate the fretboard.