CAGED is a framework for organizing the entire guitar fretboard using 5 open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D. Because the fretboard repeats every 12 frets, these 5 shapes tile across the neck with no gaps in any key.

Why it matters: CAGED lets you play any chord, riff, or solo anywhere on the neck — you'll never be lost on the fretboard again.

How to use this tool: Pick your Root Key, click through the 5 Shapes, and study how the root notes (labeled glowing circles 'R') anchor each shape. Press your foot pedal (Key B) to step through the lesson hands-free!

See how all 5 shapes tile the neck in your chosen key with zero gaps:

1. Master Open Shapes: Memorize the 5 basic open major chord shapes (C, A, G, E, D) in your fret hand.
2. Find Root Notes: Pick a key (like C) and locate where its root note (glowing circle 'R') lands on strings 6, 5, and 4.
3. Play Barre Shapes: Lay your index finger flat (a barre) across the frets behind the shape to move open chords up the neck.
4. Ascend the Neck: Play through all 5 shapes in order (C → A → G → E → D) up the fretboard in a single key.
5. Connect the Chain: Practice transitioning smoothly from one shape to the next until the whole neck connects seamlessly.

A Scale Box Position is a 4-to-5 fret pattern on the guitar neck that contains all the notes of a scale. Instead of trying to memorize the whole neck at once, master one box position at a time!

Why Pentatonic first? The Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes per octave with no harsh half-step avoid notes — making it the #1 choice for rock, blues, and lead guitar solos.

How to use this tool: Select your Root Key and Scale, then click Box 1 through Box 5 to study each pattern. Turn on "Show CAGED Chord Overlay" to see how scale notes fit around your chord shapes!

1. Master Box 1 in A Minor: Set Root Key to 'A' and Scale to 'Minor Pentatonic'. Click Box 1 and play up and down until your fret hand remembers the pattern.
2. Add Box 2: Click Box 2 and locate where it overlaps with Box 1 on frets 7-8. Practice sliding from Box 1 into Box 2 on string 3 (G string).
3. Add the Blues Note (b5): Change Scale to 'Blues Scale'. Notice the extra red dot ('b5') in Box 1 — bend or slide into it for a gritty blues sound!
4. Move to New Keys: Change Root Key to 'C' or 'E'. Notice the Box 1 pattern stays identical — it just slides up or down the fretboard!
5. Improvise Over a Track: Put on an A Minor backing track and play notes from Box 1. End your phrases on the root note ('R') to sound instantly melodic!