Chords on the Top Three Strings

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Download a free PDF summary of the shapes covered in this lesson! www.scottpauljohnson.com/chords-on-the-top-three-strings

[@lifeofeunoia]

Scott Paul Johnson thank you again Scott I’ve been playing for about 5 yrs and found your Chanel thank you for this and the other videos with regards soloing and I have to say the content is brilliant although I’m an acoustic player I would love to see you do some of those demos on that instrument 😊 keep up the brilliant content

[@stellar_ape]

How do you know where is the third in the cord?

[@mickthebandit]

12356629 Count from the Root, root being ONE. So the third of A is C, E is G, C is E and so on.

[@chriskiser2813]

Sorry this might be a dumb question but is this also considered a triad?

[@TheRafaeloctavio]

“Pretty cool huh?” And my mind is ABSOLUTELY BLOWN OFF

[@MK-Ultra75]

Wow.. I've been playing 40 yrs, just faking my way up the neck trying to memorize where the chords were, and where the 'sweet spots' were for soloing... then I watched the CAGED explanation of yours and it hit me like bricks. Mindblowing moment.. now following up with your other lessons. Thanks for your talent at explaining this Scott.. you're literally changing the way guitar players visualize the fretboard.

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

So happy to help!! Hell yeah

[@vinzwec]

same here... you're a genius Scott!

[@ryanperry3854]

Could not agree more. I also have played for 30plus years and the caged system is so helpful to my soloing. I was always seeming to “get lost “ on what to do and where. I’ve subscribed and watching all your vids. I will donate once we’re back up and going. I’ve been looking for this explanation for many years. Cheers!

[@anthonykinrade8642]

How good must your tutor have been? Or are you that naturally talented as a teacher? Either way, your teaching methods are excellent!

[@godtroll749]

so don't say you've "been playing for 40 yrs" and who spend that much time at something without even learning it properly? bunch of wasted breath

[@george-qz9un]

"Pretty cool right?" I'm like, *holy shit* . This is like witchcraft. Where has this video been all my life? How come no one explains it like this?? I've been so bummed out I just can't seem to understand the guitar at all even after watching so many videos and lessons I started to think that maybe I just didn't have the talent... You are a true hero man, finding you today is truly one of the best day in my life.

[@DanLevyEsq]

I've had this EXACT reaction to every one of his videos. I've been playing for over 20 years and only just now am I actually understanding the instrument, rather than memorizing how to play a song.

[@JesusLordOfLords455]

The power of a good teacher!

[@redfro5672]

I’m right there with you, yelling at my screen “yes dude very f***ing cool

[@kunamate]

I really like the animation, so I see the notes in real time! I miss that from other guitar lessons a lot. Thx for sharing

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Thanks! I'm working on making more - I think the animation helps make everything as clear as possible

[@fernforwood3989]

Scott Paul Johnson Ghost fingers. Never seen that in a video lesson before. Makes a huge difference.

[@whaleflipp1603]

This is honestly the best guitar teacher ever. He has changed my playing so much and and improved it more in a week than half a year of going through paid guitar teachers telling me nothing of the same thing in different words.

[@chomuichomui]

I feel the same. The explanation is clear and simply, and i grabbed the concept and understood straight away. Thank you so much!

[@sharadsemilo]

Just found your channel. I was looking for a video to explain how to solo with chord changes using the caged system. I can't believe the amount of time and effort you've put into these videos. The way these lessons have been visualised, nothing could be easier. The views and likes is very low on your channel. Please advertise your channel, I've been looking for these kind of lessons for ages now and had to go through a lot of trash before I found you, I'm sure these will be a hit. I'll do my part and spread the word. Keep up the great work

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Sharad - thanks! I put a lot of work into these videos. I’ll make another batch of them when I can!

[@RafaelSantos-xq6lv]

I think you are THE REAL KZbinR! You really put effort into this! You spend countless hours editing each of your videos so that we get the knowledge we need to improve our skills! I saw the CAGED system yesterday and I was astonished with all the graphics along with the well organized explanations that culminate in a fast learning. We (users) just have to watch it again and again while practicing, 'cause the content is all there. You are probably the only person I'm ever gonna make a donation (buy a coffee) to. Your subscribers are probably gonna grow a lot more. Just keep doing what you do best! Cheers!

[@judih.8754]

I just beginning and I've watched a number of videos on the CAGED system. Yours is the first that has made sense. Thank you.

[@cmorales566]

I really appreciate how you don’t talk down to anyone your personality is so easy going making it great for a teacher

[@mgreene300]

The first step to this and almost any other system I've tried to use, is you MUST memorize the fretboard. Not really the sharps and flats, but knowing the A, B, C, D, E, F, G locations is non-negotiable in being able to use these sorts of tools in real time. Great lesson.

[@ampecsu]

I started with 6th and 5fth strings. Then that the 4th string was the same as, and an "L," away from the 6th string. And of course the 1st is the same as the 6th

[@PriyankRupareliya]

In all these months of learning the instrument, I feel that it is only today, after watching this video of yours, has my real journey begun. Thank you for ever.

[@andrewloya76]

How in the world could anyone thumbs down any instructional video? Thank you for all your hard work and for helping thousands of people on their musical journey.

[@sparkalightnow]

Best guitar teacher of all time. Your ability to seamlessly communicate complex topics by simple patterns is astonishing. Thank you.

[@robeckvidz]

Eureka!!!! I've gotta say this one lesson gave me a light-bulb moment. I've been playing on and off for about 20 years but was limited to open chords and 6th/5th string barre chords for moving around the neck. But, wow, this lesson has opened up a whole new world to me. Bloody brilliant! And you're right - this is fun. Thank you so much.

[@silviupanait4305]

Nice work with the overlapping images of the guitar and your fingers, we can finally see the exact way to finger the chords, thank you for this.

[@thinkforyourself8886]

Duuuude you are like a genie unlocking the secrets of the bottle, thank you for making it so much easier to understand this stuff.

[@davidcristofaro6287]

You are a gifted teacher Scott; I have played guitar for 3 decades and haven;t heard most of what you are teaching with respect to shapes anywhere else. Bravo!

[@Coda6766]

I know this video is five years old but I have to say it helped me tremendously. I've been determined to learn inversions and have been confused, not so much anymore. Great teaching technique, I really appreciate it.

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

I learned guitar from a book that first printed in 1942. Good education is good education no matter how old it is. Thanks for liking it!

[@tcjonesmusic]

I've learnt more in the past few months after finding your videos than I have in the last 25 years of pretending to play. Thanks SPJ for easily explaining how all of this works and lifting the mystery off of the fretboard.

[@brianmcguire2428]

You make this so easy compared to other videos. I don’t know if it’s the animation, your voice or what but you’re quite the teacher my friend. Great job .

[@SkippyHatesMe]

Always bugged me that "top" strings are on the bottom...

[@foljs5858]

Yeah, it's always easier if they refer to them as thinner/fatter strings vs "top/bottom" or "high/low" (which often mean the inverse in different musical circles)

[@waynegilchrist1596]

It's like up is down and low is high and high is low. I seem to have gotten it all together, but I forgot where I put it! LMAO

[@no-lmao]

maybe high as in the sound it makes is higher

[@champ10ns08]

And don't get me started on going "up" and "down" the neck ;)

[@mdscode51]

It is not the top string, it is the first string.

[@Retrochipsgames]

Everytime this guy explains something... Is just easy. There's no one on KZbin making things, this easy to understand. And no b/s. Well done. This guy should pop up on KZbin more than the other guitar guys who drip feed info to you.

[@rodamacher7857]

Another great video! I like how you overlaid your playing over a still shot of your fretboard. I can tell a lot of hard work went into your videos. Thanks!

[@dongossett110]

I learned this slowly over the years and now here it is in one place, clearly explained in a short video with nice simple graphics. Newbies, don’t walk away without committing this to memory.

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Thanks, Don. Happy to hear that this condensed everything into one place for you.

[@ev446]

Anyways, that IS pretty cool, man. I've always understood the shapes, I've always just been really lazy about using them and just play the whole chord barred basically. I finally saved up enough to buy a real fender strat, and now it's time to get back in the game and stop dorkin around. You're videos are awesome. Simple to follow and the best animations on youtube for clarity. Thanks for being you.

[@TomBsChannel]

Hi Scott, I too watched your pentatonic video. Real eureka moment. This is something similar. Keep doing what you're doing my man. You have a gift for simplifying the guitar. Good on ya. Regards, Tom

[@dsteele5530]

Echoing the majority of comments, outfrickingstanding visual. So simple yet so unique. 39 years in and it took this simple overlay to flip the switch in my head. Thank you young man. Carry on!!

[@robtempleman1139]

I just came across your video's & have enjoyed everyone very much! I am 66 years young and have always wanted to play the guitar. I bought one about 2 years ago and started getting involved but it seemed difficult/confusing and I drifted away from it. My wife, 65 years, about 2 months ago bought a drum kit, something she has always been interested in. She has been practicing and taking weekly classes. Through her, I have again regained my interested but thankfully this time I have you to help through this journey. You are an excellent teacher, making things less difficult appearing. I know it's not easy but thanks again for being there!

[@fastamv.9896]

Brilliant, i have spent my first 6 months learning scales and this is going to tie in very nicely with my soloing. Thanks a million.

[@rlynch1980]

Dude I’ve studied theory for 4 years in college and taken lessons from advanced players and professors - and I never understood how simple this was. Not knocking my other teachers, but you’ve simplified things and made other things click that never did. Thanks.

[@martinezdecap]

I’ve been playing guitar off and on for about 20 years now. This is the first video that finally brought to life the patterns and shapes of triads on 3 strings

[@JWEmbry-wc7qi]

Thanks a lot Scott, I've been player for years and this has really helped me- VERY clear examples with animated highlights; very grateful my friend.

[@JWS1968]

There are thousands of guitar tuition channels on youtube, this is one of the best videos I've seen. he way you teach is a talent you made it fun and easy and that isn't as easy as it sounds. With this one video if you went away and just parrot learned only this, and got the principle of it so that you were able to find different voicings to all your favourite songs you will have a good basic grounding in guitar from this one lesson. Learn the contents of this video. Watch it over and over and play along over and over until you get it. The go get the basic guitar tab for your favourite songs and challenge yourself to find the different voicings for those chords and then just jam along. That's how you play guitar. Subbed.

[@malcolmbusby4322]

I love these videos. The clarity and enthusiasm you bring to guitar theory is like nothing else I have found. You lost me a little in the last third when you put it all together and started skating up and down the fretboard but that's on me. The pentatonic scale video was pure gold. Keep it up Scott and thank you.

[@aaronbennett1266]

Sweet, self taught after 20+ yrs, and I've just learned all kinds of Kool stuff, your awesome brother

[@coryw7922]

i’m binging all of these videos, learning so much. i am so grateful to have discovered these videos. i appreciate you so much.

[@MrSkunk1964]

i picked up the guitar to stay sane during the lockdown in the uk in April . Not played since i initially tried to learn guitar at 33. Now 56. glad i tried all those years ago as it gave basic foundation . But lol this was one of the first lessons i tried back in April and to be honest nothing really sunk in to memory....but roll the dice forward to today. with the tutorials on youtube and especially this man Paul it all makes sense now. i learnt so much from this Guy and with new Yamaha 502 with P90'S i can do what Paul instructed to do and learn. Love the Guy great aura for a teacher. Practice has not made me perfect lol but i have thick pads now on fingers so i could go out and spear fish my dinner with my fingers now. i wont starve ... May the Almighty keep him and family safe . big love to the guitar world .

[@michaelhumphreys7882]

Great clear reaching method that sticks in my 57 year old brain, many thanks and keep it coming.

[@Tuck7326]

Understanding "Triads" can really open up the fretboard and create some unique and creative passages. This is a very good lesson and explained in a logical way that is easy to understand.

[@Kaderpeck]

This video is BY FAR the best video I've seen regarding guitar lessons!!!!!! I've been watching this dude (SPJ) for a couple months now and he NAILS it in this video!!!!! I viewed this video several times before I grasped the concept, BUT believe me it was totally worth it! I just pause and practice, pause and practice, Etc., Etc. The more times I watch this video, the more I pick up from it! This is spectacular! Thank you, SPJ. You are the MAN!

[@pacograsberger8247]

Dear Scott Johnson, All my scattered knowledge i acquired into this muddled puddle of trial and error, finally falls into place. Now i can climb from basic triads to scales and grab onto some simple form of improvisation across my guitar. You opened my eyes and ears a bit wider. Thank you so much for that

[@Almostway]

I was going to sleep but the I ran into this channel and watched 3 videos in a row without even realizing. Mindblowing, from video editing to teaching skills. You're inspiring me on so many levels. I'm definetly going to watch all your videos later. I feel like I just found a treasure

[@horseflesh7698]

My God thank you for the straightforward simple approach. There's so much crap and song and dance at times you have to wade through to get the simplest explanation even with a lot of theory under your belt. Thank you!

[@Updog89]

You really do have a gift for explaining these things so simply and clearly!

[@chronicmango]

These are legit the best guitar tutorial videos. Please make more. I can tell it takes a lot of work but you really do nail them.

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Hey thanks. I’m settling in to get going on more. And yeah, they are a LOT of work. Look out for more in the next couple weeks and months.

[@lan9012]

Oh my god! Finally there’s a guitarist knows how to explain! I played guitar for years and still can’t master the fretboard and have been searching online for how to improvise for quite a while and all other materials just made me more confused! Thank you soooo much!

[@wagonet]

Ive noticed these chords in a ton of songs i try to learn. This explains the shapes! Now its not just a memorization. Theres a method! Thanks

[@brandonjohnson6784]

You sir are the best KZbin instructor I’ve found for actually learning guitar! I still have a ways to go, but for the first time in my guitar playing years I finally feel like I have a road map to learn how to literally play the guitar and not just memorize some chords and licks! I just got back into playing again recently and finding these videos has really sparked my love for the guitar again! Keep up the good work.

[@Recovery12Life]

Scott, you have solved the teachers dilemma. We so quickly forget what its like to not know something once we know it. And that makes it very hard to teach it to others. You have been able to go back to those days when you didnt know it and therefore explain it how you would have wanted it explained to you.

[@vioramsay]

Agree with Mike K. below. After years of dealing with HARD stuff--major/minor pentatonic, etc., your video OPENS WINDOWS AND LIGHT COMES IN. I can now enter what used to look mysterious and unreachable. You know how to make it logical and truly approachable. I'll go donate more to your site. Thanks, great teacher.

[@chesterburnett3466]

SPJ: You could not have explained these concepts any better than you did. Without a doubt, you are the easiest guitar teacher on YT to understand. I wish you taught all of my High School classes.

[@DirtDigglerDetecting]

I am old an been playing a LONG TIME... Thank you for teaching some stuff i didn't know. AWESOME. THANK YOU

[@user-zc3gu2jg1e]

Scott, I don't know if you've ever tried to open a can without a can opener, but I have. And when you finally find the can opener it showers you with a blissful relief? That's your videos for me. Thanks.

[@philjames1019]

Your video lessons are very clear and concise ... thank-you Scott.

[@redalaska]

I remember getting this lesson in person. I actually have enough skills now to use it. Glad I found this it was a great refresher. Love your videos Scott!

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Yo Jed! 👋🏻 Hope you’re staying safe out there.

[@guitarnut9824]

Each video I watch it all becomes clear - after all these frustrating years. I appreciate all the hard work you put in.

[@michie.mp3]

Been searching for a straight up explanation about these types of chords, because I knew it wouldn't be that hard, but I just couldn't find it anywhere. Thank you, this really helped!!

[@kanapkalol]

Your video editing is fabulous..! Thank you so much!

[@Johnnymahon218]

You are an amazing teacher. Very very clear. One of the best in teaching theory on KZbin and online.

[@cal3b803]

Dude I have learned more in this 12 minute video than I have in the last 12 months. My mind is blown. Thank you so much for making these videos

[@antoniomaria4096]

Ok. You are really a great teacher and you use the video resources better then all the rest.It's all there. If i can comprehend everybody can. I already a huge fan. Keep making more videos man.

[@stevenprince9907]

I think you are a brilliant teacher. With great easy to follow videos. Thank you so much

[@burghardtschuldt7059]

Greetings from Germany, I'm 64, not loosing my hair ;-) and have started to practice again after 40 years, your videos are great, both the explanations and the visual representations are excellent. Thanks a lot!

[@Memphis1369]

Something just clicked. I’ve heard all this before but the way you present it finally made sense. So glad I found your videos.

[@jasonp1319]

The video-craft here is excellent. Thanks for taking the time.

[@wallyneff3318]

Scott.........You are a GREAT! Your manner of speaking, explaining, showing how and the animation of the fretboard is the best I have ever seen. I am sure many people like myself appreciate the hard work and amount of time you spend creating these videos. You make it easy to understand what I never could before about guitar and I have spent years trying! Keep up the good work! Cheers!

[@eugenoewainright6162]

A very good instructor. Do not ever give it up.

[@rogerd9150]

Hi Scott. Just letting you know that people (like me) are just now discovering you and finding out how amazing your videos are. I've tried to read this in guitar books and watching other's videos, however, yours is the most simple and straight-forward. I just love it! I like and subscribed already. I wish I could do it again!

[@rickf6375]

Your dynamic graphics and pdf summarization on top of that are nothing short of fantastic

[@garynotley-smith3146]

You have a knack for making the complex simpler Scot. 50 years of playing without any music theory has been like sketching with a blindfold on, and as an art teacher I know the skill of creating a scaffold so you can fly without falling... Whoa! that's 3 metaphors in one sentence.

[@masterchikin]

I see many people feel the same way about this, but i have to add my own in.... Thank YOU!!!!!!!! I've never understood why the caged system was so important. Finally, someone that can explain it in a way that makes sense! I've never had the sense of the guitar and how it all fit together until now. I feel like might actually be able to call myself a guitar player one day instead of a guitar fool. I appreciate it so much!!

[@jsolidd713]

You are the god of explaining all things guitar. Please keep making videos like this! Also hello from Seattle!

[@lordbyronofbedford5183]

This is by far the best explanation of triads for beginners I have ever seen. Thank you so much!... for a greater understanding of why these triads work and what they consist of (instead of memorizing shapes). Also your graphics and presentation are the best on youtube as relates to guitar. I know you have spent a lot of time and money getting these out there for us. It shows. You are a gifted teacher.

[@RynoBoshoff]

I printed the PDF and was like whaa-... then I watched this video and it all makes sense now! So cool!! Thank you Scott!

[@kenpike7814]

Dude thank you SO much. Ive spent the past couple days hiding away from COVID at home and watching your videos. So far youve explained three separate topics to me that I was previously struggling to understand. This lesson (I couldnt understand triads that easily before), the use of CAGED to move up and down, and the relationship between the major and minor positions of the pentatonic scale. Now, having watched your vids, they seem staggeringly easy and simple - 3 days ago they felt like something very confusing. You are a star.

[@god0771]

where did you go? You are by far the best teacher on the internet. The way you explain stuff is so smooth and simple. Is your patreon page still active? Please come back to you tube

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

I've posting content regularly on Patreon! 150 lessons and counting! Come check it out!

[@AwesomeRandomVids]

Never stop making videos. I've never seen a more clearer explanation

[@SteinMan22]

Found you on reddit, you've got some of the clearest videos on this stuff. Appreciate it!

[@RobKL2008]

Scott you are going to be BIG man. Years and years of going over YT lessons and you hit it like no other does. I will and hopefully many other will reward you with a donation for all those hard work you must have put in your video lessons.Thank you thank you thank you!

[@merman22100]

Brilliantly simplified. Many thanks

[@JRawe2]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I can’t wait to grab my guitar and try it out. You’ve earned a new subscriber.

[@jgranderson31]

Dude, I enjoyed the purple smoke moment, you've enlightened me, TY sir. .

[@bedbug2020]

Amazing teaching with great visuals. The transparent fingers!!! Whaaaaaaaaaaat!?!?!

[@mikehussey5682]

Been trying to get my head around triads for a while now. Your explanation is brilliant. I really hope you continue with your work. I got stuck in a rut. Since finding your channel its opened up a new door for me. Thank you.

[@COOL8676]

Glad to discover this channel

[@vi5ionary]

Just commented the same thing on another one of your videos, but you explain things in a way that make me understand stuff that no one else managed to get me to understand. I watch a lot of guitar videos here on KZbin, but your content is beyond everything else. Great job, and great content - thank you so much!

[@strawmangaslightfusion1399]

I have been learning guitar for about a year now and have been struggling for the last few months. I've been trying to learn CAGED for a while now and just haven't been able to get my head around it until I watched your CAGED video this morning. Thank you so much, heading over to join your Patreon !!!!

[@anthonygadsdon8091]

Excellent video,clear concise and without a hint of ego. Easy to watch,follow,understand and learn. Top work 👍👍👍

[@pazuzu6665]

u make everything simple and understandable I used to play ukulele and I'm afraid of guitar but u help me so much u r the best youtube guitar teacher and I really mean it

[@michaelmunday6808]

Great visual to teach triads! Best band I found back when I learned triads to apply what I was learning was CCR.

[@dennispope8299]

Thanks Scott! I find this stuff amazing too! I have been playing for almost two years now. I had a young man like yourself (he was awesome, taught me alot) as a teacher, then came COVID. I have taken what he already taught me and I just sit down at times and place my fingers wherever on the fretboard and play by ear. Sometimes I happen on a chord progression that is beautiful! Thanks for sharing Scott!

[@stephen.prince7427]

Hi Scott wow you are a great teacher. This has blown my mind. I will download the PDF and hopefully it will make it bit clearer. Thank you in advance

[@davidhallowell3457]

Great video. When I made a little exercise of soloing with only the top three strings, using those three inversions as anchor points, I found it handy to observe the notes I could play and slide to get between those shapes. 'Forcing' yourself to find good-sounding solos makes you find the 'fluidity' that is available in those little slides and sequences. Of course, that's great CAGED foundation work, that fits perfectly with your suggestion when getting started connecting the the neighboring shapes. Please keep up the great work.

[@ScottPaulJohnson]

Thanks David. I'll keep up the work. So glad you're enjoying the videos. And I want to do a whole series on how to practice for fluidity.

[@davidhallowell3457]

One thing you might touch on...is the way that the top three string are ‘strange’ because of the B string tuning. The shapes of those top strings triads and the melodic flow in that region is weirdly unlike what’s going on among the lower 4 strings (yes, the third string is kind of in each group). BUT , a big power in CAGED is that the B string quirkiness is already baked in. The shape of a D chord or A or E fragment, already accounts for the tuning, so you don’t need to think about shifting your thinking up or down like you would in a 3 note per string approach. I think getting comfortable with top three strings, then roots and the lower strings is a great way to get it all to click...as you have recommended and guided so well.

[@davidhallowell3457]

...said another way...you’ve helped me to see that someone could start with ‘Mini _A_ED’ on the upper three strings...learn to flow and slide and sound good there...then bring in the C and G as the lower strings come into the picture.

[@davidhallowell3457]

....related....I’m finding it handy to focus, in the same way, on the bottom 3 or 4 strings ...gaining fluidity in that zone. It highlights that the G and E shapes are the most obvious and familiar, with root on E string. With the third on E string, the bottom end of theD shape is nearby, and with the fifth on E string, the C shape is in play. Just another useful mapping exploration. Also right up your alley.

[@derekdeven4604]

You're a good teacher, please don't stop making awesome and simplified videos.

[@CALLMECRAZY69]

You are an amazing teacher. You explain first what the others assume you already know.

[@JimLarranaga5k]

Hi Scott. I discovered these shapes a few months ago (they're basically the top end of bar chords) and I wondered why nobody was teaching guitar this way. Apparently you are, lol! For me it opens the fretboard because once you understand the shapes (and intervals) you can easily transpose a song into any key. And these shapes sound better than full chords -- they really ring out harmonically. Thanks for show this!

[@susanhawkes2519]

My confusion on "chord shapes" fixed in the first 90 seconds. Thank you!

[@blueheart1946]

Thank you, youve just opened my eyes.

[@jeffreyfarrar7267]

Love your videos. They really helped me understand some important concepts, that I had been missing. I've read a lot of music theory, and watched a lot of videos, but your videos helped me tie things together. You've helped my playing significantly! Thanks Again!! … Maybe you could do a video about Major / minor Modes.

[@wm.p.callahan979]

Hi Scott: The more I watch this video the more things I pick up Thanks!🎸

[@rbebut1]

Thank you for showing other ways to look at the fret board and how to manipulate the cords. WOOT!