3NPS vs CAGED - Which is Better?

[@jmonty2005]

3NPS for me was life changing. Once I got that 7-string pattern down for the major scale, I learned the whole fretboard really quick

[@jmonty2005]

3NPS along with thinking in modes

[@yakzivz1104]

@@jmonty2005 yes it literally works in every single key that you can think of.

[@joebermuda6452]

3 notes Per string gives you that speed and awesome legato runs. Caged is more box like and easy to target chord tones with minimal movement

[@jazznotes3802]

@@joebermuda6452Works out much better if you know your 6 & 5 string sweep arpeggio inversions, (only 3 built from each note) then use these to target all the diatonic triads and chord tones. Less to learn and easier/faster to play. “The path of least resistance” is always best.

[@der_ede6119]

I know how the CAGED-System works… but I was not able to use it. I have seen a lot of other videos but still had no clue or any ideas to work with it. So… After watching this video all my questions were answered in a proper way and… Brian is a very good teacher. He doesn’t force you or sets you under pressure by explaining the tools you need to continue your way of playing guitar.

[@RobbieMcEwan-pf7vb]

Brian Kelly you are the definition of Occams Razor - thank you for breaking things down to their simplest form and correcting the confusion other guitar teachers make by trying to sound smart or knowledgeable. You are an incredible teacher … rock on!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks for the words Robbie! This comment means a lot to me. I really appreciate that!! 😀

[@garyeggleton1142]

actually, as I have watched so many videos from so many people, and everyone explains things in a different way.I have to say that Brian has cemented all the information together so I understand it.

[@MARK-LUCIA]

This is such a great explanation that is easy to understand. Thanks Brian!

[@D_o_n_k_e]

Such a great lesson! Thank you so much for this video!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@capbubba]

That clears things up , thanks Brian for the lesson 👍👍👍

[@lynelleandrob72010]

Informative as always Brian! Even when you go over a concept I think I already have a good handle on, I learn something new!

[@lukather1]

This lesson is absolute GOLD for those who are confused ! Again Brian ! The best lessons on YT !! ❤ Oh I think that includes me ! Lol

[@zombieguitar]

Glad to hear it 😁

[@slowswimmer9169]

but which is 🍎 🍎 and which is 🥦🥦

[@zayacrow8869]

I like to view it as two patterns with extensions on them

[@dariodelfrate7399]

Great lesson, as usual Brian! Best no nonsense music teacher around!!!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks you Dario!

[@StratsRUs]

Both are better, plus the rest !

[@trisin]

I know the diatonic scales but I have never realized it can be played 3nps. Thank you Brian 😊👍

[@MrArtist1971]

Another GREAT video. Thanks for all you do Brian!

[@trisin]

Man your guitar tone is gorgeous 😢❤❤❤

[@karlbrown4635]

great lesson. lot work on with studying memorizing all the shapes of caged and diatonic scales/ intervals as chromatic numbers but just once moveable is very cool! In right direction. new fretboard map on desk chord stamp and fretboard notepaper for studying different progressions and chord tones. 3 NPS is new on the to do list.

[@Kevinschart]

Eventually I just stopped trying to "memorize" them and simply focused on being disciplined and doing my drills everyday. Your brain will handle the memorization part

[@goffdroid]

I'm trying to learn both.. ones just moving cowboy chord variations.. the other 1 index 2 middle 3 ring 4 pinky... I'm trying to learn and understand both.

[@shoots007]

Excellent, as per usual, really helpful!

[@Kevinschart]

Really great breakdown of both systems. People that don't get CAGED typically haven't done the work to connect it to scales, intervals, triads, arpeggios, and pentatonics. CAGED was the framework that I used to pull it all together. I started with CAGED simply because I could see that my favorite guitarists all used the system to some degree. 3NPS is not much different and I'll never understand why "experts" in KZbin act like 1 is so much better than the other.

[@jazznotes3802]

I learned the “CAGED system” and used it exclusively for about 15 years. It worked, but I felt it was holding me back, both physically and mentally (making me think way too hard.) Then I learned the 3NPS System and I do mean “system” here, not just the seven patterns that everyone learns. After learning both, it didn’t take long to see that one was not only WAY quicker to learn but far more powerful to use. Yes it’s the 3NPS System I’m talking about here. One coherent fretboard pattern that contained all the modes, arpeggios and chords, without resulting to a completely different fretboard configuration each time i wanted to switch modes or play different types of chords. “Thinking Sharpen this and flatten that” was a nightmare with the CAGED System. Technically making it not a system at all. Why? Because it’s not even systematic. To be a system it needs to be systematic. The ONLY problem with the 3NPS System is that people don’t actually know it. They only know the 7 fretboard patterns and think that’s the complete thing. When there’s a very logical systemic way to play all your diatonic triads, arpeggios and chords within the System. Making it a single complete systematic system. You don’t even need to learn intervals and theory (the conventional way) to be able to master the fretboard and play anything. You can learn all the music theory stuff (if you want) after you can already play it. This is how it should be, theory comes after the music not before. Look at the 3NPS patterns and investigate how the three 6 string sweep arpeggio inversions, triads (and more advanced chords) are hidden within it. Learn about the “Seven string master pattern,” that makes up all the other seven patterns in the first place, meaning there is only one fretboard pattern to learn really and not seven or five. Discover the number “1473625” and how it unlocks all the diatonic triads within a key. If you search hard enough for this hidden information it will blow your mind. It’s very hard to find, but it’s out there.

[@MatthewPolack]

Thanks Brian..great video..I actually learned a lot of the 3nps through some courses (and how the essentially 3 simple patterns that form the 7 work)...but was still wondering about the caged system.and how it approached it..thanks for the explanations!

[@yakzivz1104]

I find that the 3nps system is more straight forward and easier to comprehend. The 3nps enabled me to learn my fretboard very quickly and I can use it for any key.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

Both for sure. Eventually the fret board becomes one large pattern.. Great explanation, Brian.

[@otmanblues4138]

Great lesson, Brian! I started learn to play the guitar in Jan 2022 and learned a lot from your channel. I recently learned about the 3NPS system, which was an eye opener. I didn’t know about the 5 patterns of the 3NPS system, so thanks for the new info. This year I want to get on top of chord tone improvisation, and have been learning about the CAGED system and Arpeggios. I agree with the way you look at 3NPS as layer 1 and CAGED as layer 2. Where would you put Arpeggios? You touched on using the CAGED system to improvise through a chord progression. Would really appreciate some lessons on using CAGED with chord progressions of some songs. Thanks. 👍

[@zombieguitar]

I have lots of videos like that. Anything with "arpeggio" or "chord tone targeting" in the title is usually a CAGED video. Here's one 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4G2qoOtbpxskKM

[@garyeggleton1142]

If anyone who is working on or has mastered either system....doesnt see the merit for understanding both , we all should

[@toddjohnson838]

Brian - excellent video! You explain concepts in a way I can understand. I have a problem I am trying to solve. I learned early on that all minor chords follow a pattern on the A and D strings with the root of the chord on the E string and that they continue on the D G B strings with the root of the chord on the G string. I have a hard time with the CAGE system because I have to stop and think about what shape is next in the progression up the neck of the guitar. Am I setting up bad habits? Do I need to just buckle down and learn the CAGE system. The 3NPS is something I really like and can handle, but it is really hard for me to solo with a backtrack and find the right note at the right time. You seem to do this beautifully without trouble. My goal is to get there someday. Thanks for sharing your talents with us mortals!

[@frankaq3951]

Yes, that was helpful, as usual on this channel.

[@scottjones6624]

Superb as always

[@craigschmutzler8581]

This is outstanding.

[@vomito72]

great lesson

[@JonnyKo89]

Great Video! You presented the concept exactly the waswi think about music and chord progressions! May I ask what schecter guitar you've got there? Subbed!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Jonny! It's a CR-6 🎸

[@skrijal9417]

Brian sir could you make video using the 6 or 3 in easy for whole fretboard so that we can play along with chords pls do for me

[@a.grujic8905]

Excellent video, as always. And I have a question, as always 😂 How to practice applying Layer 2 over Layer 1? Can you make a video, like, "8 weeks (or 5/whatever)" routine for combining chord-patterns with scale-patterns? I'm trying by my self, but I'm struggling. I know you said it was a marathon, but plz think about it. P.S. I prefer 3-pattern-approach and CAGED. Tnx!

[@zombieguitar]

I have a bunch of videos like that. Here's one that is a great introduction to what you're looking to do 😁: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpnRgXiLnc50o6M

[@jamesfryar6047]

very helpful

[@nquerosaber]

i have seen many videos against the 3nps and their argument is always "3nps doesnt sound musical", when in reality its exactly the same unison notes as in caged, so i was wondering why do people get this wrong most of the time? when mixing 3nps with caged chords, it does sounds robotic, so the solution is to change the 3nps patterns into the pentatonic patterns, in this context, the chords and the scale dont interfere each other, if you play 3nps over a full 7th chord you have to overthink "ok now is the minor pattern, next the major pattern" until an agumented chord pops up and you dont know how to deal now with 3nps the opposite is true, you shift the focus from chords qualities to the melodic interval qualities, while the rhythm plays powerchords and octaves, its basically the modus operandi of metal, and this is also why jazz uses so much chromatism

[@trisin]

This blows my mind. All this time I thought the caged system was the pentatonic scales 🤯

[@mitchelllamb9021]

Are you able to share the amp settings for the guitar when your just talking not in a song? I don’t suppose it’s a katana patch available? Thanks!

[@zombieguitar]

It's the "Heaven" preset in the S-Gear amp sim program. That's pretty much all I use for these videos 😁

[@mitchelllamb9021]

@@zombieguitar oh okay thanks for that I only use amps no daw

[@mattprobert8268]

So...I don't know whether I've grasped it or if I'm way off. Prior to watching this vid, as a beginner/wannabe intermediate player, I'd solo over jam tracks in e.g. the key of Am using the 5 Am pentatonic boxes (what I would've called CAGED). I'd stay with those shapes in the Am position when the chords changed through the progression. I'm thinking now, that when the Am chord is playing, I should play in the Am position and as it moves to e.g. Em I need to move the boxes and shapes to the Em position and so on moving the whole box system as the chords change. By doing this, I'm playing more notes from the chords being played rather than just the key. I'm confusing myself but is that even close? 🫤

[@zombieguitar]

Nope, you were right in the first place. No need to switch! You've been thinking about "layer 1" so far. The pentantonic scale (in any of the 5 positions) is 5 of the 7 total notes of the key. You can add these 2 extra notes to each of the 5 pentantonic positions to create the full 7-note diatonic scale. Again, this is still just "layer 1" thinking though. The next step is to now focus on specific notes within the diatonic scale as the chords change. If all chords are in the same key, then your scale (layer 1) remains constant the entire time. The notes of focus within that one scale DO change as the underlying chords do. That is "layer 2" 😁 Make sense?

[@mattprobert8268]

@@zombieguitar Hi and thanks for the personal reply. That does make sense and was what I thought happened prior to watching the video. I think I confused myself but your answer has clarified it for me. Appreciate you taking the time.

[@zazoomatt]

I took to 3 notes and then Caged(but only if you KNOW the NOTES on the fret board) Because you are looking for Logic.

[@joebermuda6452]

I highly prefer theee notes per string for soloing

[@alexcustos]

I wonder why there are not that many videos about rhythm on this channel. Sure, the theory is simple, and it's more about practice. But how to count in real-time and what to listen, especially when drums go wild, is the most confusing part, at least for me.

[@zombieguitar]

Here ya go 😁: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIaYYnh3qMSYi9U

[@alexcustos]

Thank you. I saw that and a few other rhythm-related videos. They are great but not as practical as your other videos. I mean, I know the theory and the fact that it needs a lot of work to master the skill, but it's not clear how to deal with it somewhat efficiently.

[@zombieguitar]

@@alexcustos I can definitely talk about that in an upcoming video!

[@mikestroud9969]

Good video Big B yep it's best to know both. For sure. It's all good. Btw I like the Rock em Sock em Robots 😂😂. Reminds me of being a kid with my younger brother. I'm 61. Now. 😊😊😎👍👌🎸🎸

[@jimmybright7579]

Am 48 and wanted and had rock em sock em...way to make a dude feel old...that and being old

[@mikestroud9969]

@@jimmybright7579 ditto 😂😂🙈

[@hottamanful]

Ok .. The question now is which is better ? .. the 7 or the 5 diatonic approach ?

[@zombieguitar]

I prefer 3 myself 😁: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKvJeKuFjpeJkLc

[@Oi-mj6dv]

Intervals+ closed and open triads+ caged for me. It just clicks

[@tp5401]

Do people get this through sheer memory volume? I can totally follow the concept... But to implement does it ultimatelt just require sheer memeory? The volume is overwhelming.... Each shape for each chord at each position, kbowing the interval and how to modify it.. for so many chords in so many keys on so many strings at so many spots on the fret board. Can the average brain process that?! I can totally understand the theory... But can i ever turn it into music?! I keep hopingbfor the lights to go on. Back to noodling the pentatonic scale over a backing track for now i guess.

[@zombieguitar]

The last thing you said..."back to pentatonic noodling". Boom right there!!! You know how the pentatonic scale patterns are the same for all keys? This means that you only need to memorize these 5 shapes one single time, and then you can "move" them based on the key. Well, the exact same thing is true for the other 2 fretboard visualization systems in question - The CAGED system and the 7 3NPS pattern system. Learn the 5 CAGED shapes in one key...voila, you can them move them to any key. Learn the 7 3NPS patterns in one key...voila, now you can play them in any key just by "moving" them. Memorize the actual interval makeup of any given shape...that will hold true for all keys. That's the beauty of the guitar. You can do sooooo much, simply by learning/memorizing some shapes in one single key!

[@GaryBook]

Your from Philly, it shouldn’t be Apples or Oranges or Apples or Broccoli but rather eating a Cheese Steaks or Tony DiNic’s Pork Sandwich?

[@zombieguitar]

🤣🤣🤣

[@GaryBook]

I love the food scene in Philly, world class!!! And great museums from Revolutionary history to great art museums! Great people in Philly as well.

[@davedave8608]

pentatonic shell theory

[@SteveJones379]

Will I play guitar better if I eat apples and broccoli? Chocolate and white russian?

[@bjarkenielsen8515]

Always go for the White Russian 🎉😂

[@michaeldematteis3409]

I always liked the 5 pattern approach.i made the mistake tho of looking at them as just patterns for to long instead of the actual notes and intervals

[@Pdacree777]

Brian can I have that guitar 🎸 hahaha

[@zombieguitar]

I love meenie greenie!!🤣