Before learning the CAGED system to map out the fretboard, you need to know the five basic chords C, A, G, E, and D. These are the building blocks for the rest of your guitar life!
C
This is C major. Memorize where the roots are.
A
There are two common fingerings for A major. There is also a friendly A minor fingering for this chord. Memorize where the roots are.
G
Like the A chord, there is an alternate fingering for G major. Like the C chord, there is no friendly minor fingering for this chord. Memorize where the roots are.
E
There is one E major fingering and one E minor fingering. Memorize where the roots are.
D
There is one D major fingering and one D minor fingering. Memorize where the roots are.
Songs
Practice the following songs.
- Always fret the chord starting from the lowest string and work your way up. Remember in the guitar world, “low” and “high” don’t mean low to the ground and high to the ceiling. “Low” and “high” refer to pitch. So, the low strings are closer to the ceiling and the high strings are closer to the floor.
- Focus on smooth transitions between chords. Find those pivot points!
- Play in time with the song.
Bad Moon Rising
Credence Clearwater Revival (CCR)
Intro:
D | A G | D | D
Verse:
D | A G | D | D [4x]
Chorus:
G | G | D | D
A | G | D | D
Good Riddance
Green Day
Intro:
G | G | C | D [2x]
Verse:
G | G | C | D [2x]
Em | D | C | G [2x]
Chorus:
Em | G | Em | G
Em | D
No Rain
Blind Melon
Intro and Verses:
E | D | E | D
Chorus:
E | E | D | D
A | A G | E | E
Ain’t No Sunshine
Bill Withers
Chords:
Am Em G | Am | [2x]
Em | Dm | Am Em G | Am