Here's why the Caged system will UP your solos | Tim Pierce | Brett Papa

[@markbox508]

If PRS doesn’t make a Tim Pierce guitar, someone else will. This guy is a legend.

[@Pickles-s5k]

“If you ever thought you were as good as Tim Pierce, you’re not.” This is my head talking to myself. When he explains what he did over Brett at the 6:40 mark is masterful. He’s on a different level than almost everyone.

[@boogiejed5485]

The great thing about caged is that it totally unravels the mystery of the neck. The challenge is developing the quickness of mind to really be able to use it in the heat of the moment.

[@boogiejed5485]

@@Chris-MusicTheoryAndFretboard Yeah but this is about the journey to getting to that stage, which many pros use. Guthrie Trapp for example is always going on about how he uses it. Caged is merely a method for 'seeing' the notes around the chords on the fretboard while soloing, a necessary skill.

[@artistaccount]

​@@Chris-MusicTheoryAndFretboardI assume they at least think in chords 135 at least. Because how are they going to follow the chord changes? So caged does help cause it just outlines the chords . Caged is really just another tool or perspective for interpreting the guitar

[@mikeybishop7886]

I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years. This is the thing I’ve been trying to find out for nearly the entire time. Thank you.

[@redrock1963]

I love the way Brett asks questions in my uneducated language. He brings light to elements and then draws them together in a way that helps me to "connect the dots". He does it in a way that I would ask.....what was that "thing" you did there. LOL Love both these guys - They are among the great players and great modern teachers.

[@kevinmorris7722]

Wow. So nice to hear the professional players do what you do. Thanks guys.

[@Sasketchejuana_man]

The concept of playing over changes makes sense. and for players that started off in the blues, its so easy to solo over that root chord and make it sound ok because the other chords fall inside the pentatonic scale, but as some point youll find yourself needing to know how to play over the changes. This video did the best job of explaining it that i've ever seen. Thank you.

[@geetarguy777]

Lessons like this are why lessons are important.

[@jstevens501]

lessons like this is why youtube is awesome

[@LekkerDops]

Bloody hell, I've played live gigs for 28 years on acoustic guitar, now been going for electric and always wondered about these types of questions. It's like they read my own questions and answered them, so humble, so talented, such nice guys, and this is why we play and connect, for the joynof people like this. Thank you so much for helping like this.

[@greglesondak]

CAGED is such a great way to map the whole neck and the more you practice it, the more fluid you become with chords and scales. It’s become the cornerstone of my playing and I strongly recommend it to anyone learning to play guitar. Tim knows what’s up!

[@Havanacuba1985]

I’m currently learning my fretboard notes so I can use the caged roots to play arpeggios, modes and triads all over . Funny you know the E ,e and A string off by heart but B G D not so fluent . Plus working on my sequences too

[@KyLesCaster]

Once i get this down ill feel confident playing with other people. I been a closet player since high school.

[@greglesondak]

@@KyLesCaster It takes a while to get caged down. If you have people to play with I'd take advantage of it asap.

[@PlectrumShorts]

Wow. 2 minutes in you blew my mind with the idea of playing triads around the neck following the progression to build lead ideas. It’s so “obvious” that I *never* would have thought of it. My head is swimming with ideas now.

[@spacemonkey6552]

I always had this thought about music theory that is analogous to magic. Before I knew any music theory, hearing the type of things you guys are playing seemed like absolute magic to me! Like how, just how did you come up with that!? But much like magic, once you know the secret behind the trick, the magic is gone... Normally this would be sad 🙁, but then you realise you can now become the magician! It still is a slightly unfortunate thing that knowing these pieces of theory and tips (dare I say tricks) somewhat demystify music and make hearing it a little less perplexing and magical (for me at least). But the satisfaction of being able to understand it and CREATE you're own magic tricks with the guitar make it greatly worth it! Thank you Tom and Brett for all your great videos over the years. You have surely helped me and so many other progress to a place I may have never been without your instruction. Now off I go to David Copperfield my Les Paul!

[@bigoogie3737]

What a great frikkin lesson. The CAGED system gets discussed six ways til Sunday on KZbin, and Tim has explained it in such an applied manner here. Fantastic discussion.

[@mjr2470]

Precision Pierce! you are a craftsman! I sure appreciate what you do here online. Thank you

[@paulhb]

I’ve been playing guitar for 35 years. I can play almost anything I hear. Even though I often work around chord shapes, I never really understood the CAGED philosophy until seeing this. Much more user friendly than other videos.

[@nickwildcard627]

I think this might be one of the most important tutorials I’ll watch, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get rid of scale shapes and play over the chords for so long. And that triad playing at the beginning helped me finally understand how jazz guitarists solo using chords and maintain a melodic sound. You’re really doing people a service Tim!

[@JohnJones-ep7of]

That was an eye opener for sure . Hearing the 2 of you talking through everything you played, just wonderfully done !

[@telecasterbear]

I have been playing for 43 years now. I never have had any formal training in theory. There was no money for lessons back when I started. After learning chords by name and shape, and developing my ear to copy things, I only know what I know. I will spend some time with this video. Thanks Tim.

[@MaynardOwns]

There is an incredible amount of great lessons on here. These two guys are amazing. Also Rick Beato has a great channel.

[@dannytriplett8625]

Wow Tim. I understood the concept of the caged system coming from bluegrass and the use of the capo. I just imagined the capo on different areas of the fingerboard but you have lifted the veil just a little more. Thank you 😊

[@Tier_1_Golf_Academy]

I remember watching Guthrie Trapp playing in Key West 20 years ago with a small band for tips. Now he’s getting name dropped by Tim Pierce! Awesome to see him getting the recognition he deserves these days. Good for you Guthrie! And Tim, as always, you rock brother 🤘🏼

[@sonnet9100]

Been playing nearly 50 years and still amazed at how much I DON’T know

[@tyson1ize]

yea me too

[@allancrow134]

Same here, my starting point was I knew nothing, now I know little, but I've only been playing 45 years. :)

[@coycarlson4979]

Yes - I too am a fast learner - been at it 45 years myself - and still trying to figure this stuff out , I have played rhythm in bands because I have developed good muscle memory to make chord transitions smoothly and clean . I have developed a good ear - so can pick up on some songs better than others just by hearing BUT - even after all the years I have been at it - I am only now just beginning to learn scales to try and solo. Slowly becoming better / more fluid in my movement around the fretboard AND relaxed while doing so. ✌️

[@ChefClary60]

Coy Carlson Same here man. Got my first electric (a Tele) in 1971. Problem was that I’d go 15 years without playing. Played more in last ten years than ever.

[@Babs42]

You should've made us a backing track to play along with man.

[@VelvetWasted]

Guys like you make this world a better place! Thanks so much

[@jacobseymour7221]

I'm a piano player. If these guys were in my area I would beg them for lessons, not on guitar but on piano. They might think it's crazy but they could impart so much knowledge. First of all the blues language, secondly me holding down a blues rhythm while they solo.

[@Person-uz5lw]

The amount of incredible information that's free to all of us from absolute masters is just crazy to me!

[@MaynardOwns]

I've heard so many people try to explain caged in so many different ways. I think it's about taking open chord/first fret bar chords and moving them up the neck. Open c chord moved to the 5th fret is a c shaped d chord. This will apply to all the shapes up the neck. Then taking the all those chord shapes and being able to recognize them quickly so you can apply it to solos

[@karlhouseknecht]

My guitar heroes used to be players like EVH. Now it's Tim Pierce, Pete Thorn, and Brett Papa. Such cool ambassadors of the fretboard.

[@joshmuz9018]

Karl Houseknecht well there true professionals not show ponies

[@chrisw5742]

Here's one of my favs of modern stuff ...... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmO1c32tfd6ch80 Dude's AMAZING

[@cominghis1612]

and Guthrie Trapp

[@vanguard4065]

my guitar heroes are Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Art Tatum

[@hectorheath]

Little wayne

[@70snuttodd95]

Tim is from planet Guitar, his dynamics are out of this World. Love the way he plays

[@13thAMG]

Finally, a chance to get a detailed look inside the playing mind of the amazing TIm Pierce. The day I first found your videos, Tim, some years ago, was one of the greatest days of my playing life. You have inspired me every day since then. Brett asked the 2 most important, apt and pertinent questions that's on the minds of every single viewer of your videos, I'm certain, as they have been on my mind since day one. I can't thank you enough, Tim. Hope we meet on the scene one day. I'd love to have you at my venues here in Australia doing workshops etc.

[@jonathanavery7583]

This lesson shouldn’t be free...so much gold here. Thanks TP and BP!

[@shawndeveau]

Thank you Tim! This one video opened up the neck and my playing after 40 years of being in a rut. So simple and so enlightening.

[@kevincaldwell9625]

These two cut through the crap. Bare bones, straight to the point; the most sensical and easy to understand concepts, and why they work....with videos to show you! I hate to put the guitar down now....Thank You, Tim and Papa.

[@surfrby8876]

You're two of the best teachers and players on YT,have been for years! Thanks Brett and Tim

[@timchalmers1700]

Pure gold !! Brett Papa asks Tim Pierce the questions I would like to ask. Thanks to Tim and Brett.

[@justinbartarm5143]

Tim is so knowledgeable about music in general, let alone his knowledge of the guitar. He is a true professional on guitar, l hope he makes a piece of his own music in the future and play's it to us on KZbin down the track.

[@zappa4ever]

"All I was playing was F#m, D, and E triads all over the neck" ( 1:45 to 2:25 ) "so once you learn those, it gives you a much bigger kaleidoscope of places you can land and melodic fragments you can pull from" ... For me this is one of my biggest weaknesses as a 'self-taught' player and what I want to work on to expand my vocabulary and ability to compose solos or fill rhythm. Cheers for the great videos and sharing knowledge!

[@randywollin5732]

This is why I've always thought Tim should be knick names Silk. He is just so smooth and fast. The two of you just talking through what you are doing was great. This is a lesson that really shows what the reason for doing what your told about the caged system. By the way, I've always thought my reluctance to the caged system, is the name makes it sound like your controlled by it. It really frees you instead.

[@MichaelGrecoGuitar]

I love this style of playing. Learning triads all over the neck of the guitar really opened up my melodic vocabulary

[@ascendrealize5194]

Tim’s one of the best if not the best at what he does which is seemingly everything

[@jamescuevas7080]

There is a crazy amount of practical information coming at me through this video. Thank you Tim and Brett! Lifelong drummer turning guitar player here in my 40's. All these things you're talking about make so much sense - thank you for loaning me your brain to get a jump on my guitar playing. So many parallels to drumming regarding the technique stuff you're talking about. Smooth transitions between the notes being so super important, etc. - all the intangible stuff that isn't the chopsy-chops stuff but is the stuff that totally makes the music affect the listener in ways they don't understand.

[@Mechanixscott]

That's so right, with that flow it makes me giggly. A nice happy buzz on the inside....I sure love those ahhh haaa moments, thanks.

[@rcolang1]

Probably one of the most significant lessons of my life !!!

[@sp4gsus]

Of all the KZbin guitar videos out there, I’ve never seen one where the neck is showed upside down ie. the same vantage point of someone playing. I put my iPad down on a flat surface for a minute while I was watching this video and what resulted was the video playing upside down and had somewhat of a light bulb moment as I was suddenly able to see the chord shapes and lines from the same vantage point as if I was looking down on the fretboard while playing a guitar. Someone who makes guitar instructional videos should explore this concept! Great video btw

[@kuks1182]

Tim what can I say, beautiful melodic, so fast, I'm speechless.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

one of the clearest explanations of this i've ever seen...and these guys are so laid back....love it...

[@scarabonyx3565]

Absolutely some of the best information about melodic lead playing. Thanks so much.

[@mrmanch204]

You know that was most helpful. I realise I have a lot to do now, but you have demonstrated a whole extra chapter in the guitar player story. Very well demonstrated, easy to follow and well presented. Thank you.

[@BrianBurgess]

These guys have forgotten more than I’ll ever know! Great video Brett & Tim!

[@MANUELQUINONESMUSIC]

Yes this is one great way to visualize the solos over the neck, and a very effective with the Root, 5ft, and 3rd. Thanks Tim and Brett

[@tanyavernon8459]

This one short lesson has opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about my soloing, can't wait to put it into practice and see if it make's a difference!! Thanks a lot!!

[@zionmakan9343]

Always gets amazed watching T.Pierce😊👍👍👍

[@vincentbianco6739]

Tim I think I learned more on this video cause of the commentary. I think you really are doing this video thing better than anyone You speak clearly and explain clearly I hope to have a video Chanel of my own one day hope you would be a guest and play for me I also wish to take your course to make me a better player. I’m in Ny and have been trying hard soon to retire and play more

[@dldave1978]

Tim, I learn so much from you and I respect the work you’ve done. Keep it up. THANK YOU!

[@williamsporing1500]

It’s weird….I started taking piano at 4 yrs old, then picked up a guitar at 13. My brother had a logins and Messina book, and learned how to play some songs, which were mostly cowboy chords. I was DEEP into Yes, Grand Funk, Tull etc (hey, it was the early 70’s!) I knew a lot about theory from my decade of learning the masters on piano, but was having trouble relating it to the neck. Took me about 6 months, but I basically figured out what everybody is calling the caged system. It’s been a 50 year downhill slide ever since lol Great video Tim, you’ve become one of my favorite players.

[@peti802]

Great lesson! It's one of those common sense approaches that should have been intuitive but wasn't. Always a great reminder and insight into thinking. Thanks guys!

[@redstrat1234]

Another great video Tim, connecting the dots. Brett always asks the good questions too.

[@joshnova9163]

This is a great format, Tim. A conversation/ demonstration. So insightful!

[@BrenQ99]

This video was wildly helpful and informative. So, Thank You!! Now I have to go do my CAGED exercises for a few moths...years...decades. Worth it if I can eventually play closer to Mr. Pierce's level! The man is such a talent.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Once I learn navigate my shapes by ear and sight to where I can freely Express the motion my soul feels , I will be musically free. This is a work in progress. I can write all day original atmo songs or tracks and I have been trying to practice by doing the track then live noodling around til I find it and this lesson helps alot. I wish to one day be like gilmour. More of bends than speed. To Express those lush minor chords. Omg. Great video man.

[@chrstphbch]

Super great demonstration of melodic soloing! This also reminded me so much of Mark Knopfler.

[@scoobydoo936]

The best exercise in my opinion is to memorise intervals of scales and play them starting from each note on the fretboard and learn to play them vertically (in a close position) on the board as well as horizontally ( wide position ) and practice with eyes shut or tied. 1st you get acquainted with the corresponding chords, 2nd you train your ear by listening to Intervalls and 3rd you are not locked into shapes.

[@joeblough261]

You should do a video showing this concept. My teacher has basically said the same thing but I dont seem to have the attention span to keep at it.

[@pekkalaaksonen8384]

Tim, you're the best and so melodically musical wizard! Thanks!

[@douglascasey3486]

You two fellas are such great guys.

[@nicowit8896]

That method of playing the triad first Reminded me of dave Gilmore's solo on time. Nice tip there thanks.

[@redwhiteblue9866]

Also the middle of comfortably numb

[@taossmith]

Well this is about the best guitar lesson I've seen. Hot damn it is great when something finally clicks.

[@omarnaimsawaya4297]

I agree!! ..best guitar lesson ever

[@GraffitiPhysical]

Having a great understanding of rhythm is crucial. Recommend every musician learn to play drums first. Tim has a fantastic understanding of rhythm and the drums.

[@Pulse2AM]

When I took beginning piano my teacher had me clap drum patterns, I also suggest every guitar player learn basic piano, it helps a lot I think.

[@RazvanCosti]

I grew up in the 90s and back then if you were lucky to get a mentor to show you stuff and have patience/method, you progressed> Alternately, if you had a great ear, you could steal licks/stuff form other people in bands. But we were nowhere NEAR the possibilities players get these days by having access to hundreds of explanation vids on youtube. Game changer, man...

[@NOMADCREATIVESOLUTIONS]

This is the nicest Strat style i ever saw or heard, fabulous playing

[@ForTheLoveOfGuitars]

I love it. Even pros like Brett are always learning…Tim too (both especially when Guthrie is there).

[@rshock]

Helps a lot, I do that already but you put a lot of new ideas into it. Love it!

[@rshock]

Love this, I use caged method a lot and yes often can have a Mark Knoffler kinda sound. Love it

[@PJSScotty]

What a great pairing of souls and talent.

[@lancelotlink6545]

This reminds me a bit of an interview I saw of the great Carol Kaye. Her method of playing revolves around targeting what she calls chordal notes which basically are the notes of the arpeggio similar to what you are saying. But the interesting part is she completely eschews learning scales. Of course she was playing on records during a time when melody was everything.

[@devohood7788]

Mr Tim Your lessons are the best ever. 🍀

[@johnmac8084]

Great video Tim & Brett, thanks for sharing. Got your Caged course Brett, it's really excellent, thanks

[@mattvanyguitar]

So incredible. Just a great perspective on lead playing. Thank you guys!

[@WSGtr12]

I love you both, you're freaking awesome! All the best from Finland.

[@LUckybones25]

Thanks for all the videos Tim. Your playing is inspiring!

[@dustinsosebee]

Awesome video! Thanks for getting practical. Great questions and explanations with examples

[@cwilson8083]

thanks for your lessons Tim !

[@willwebbstar7334]

You have such musicality so usable playing for the song lots of flavor

[@joshfulmer3689]

This was awesome 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 outstanding. I feel like I just unlock something great. Thank you for doing this

[@ericwilliamson9516]

Tim you're amazing. Love your playing. Thanks

[@jrvisions]

Wow excellent lesson showing the whole thought process and practical approach utilizing the caged system/scales. Please keep using this extremely important approach which many overlook. Definitely sets you apart from everyone else. Awesome instruction!! 😎🎸🎶👏👏👏👍

[@TomFeelz]

Love this. Feels like I’m sitting in with y’all

[@Oosh-Xbox]

This lesson made me cry with happiness lol 😂 great job again 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@DavidLarew]

Appreciate your Q and A interview style... great questions and answers, thank you!!!

[@ront8270]

It’s like switching chords in a strum right into the next notes...... Tim’s like the guitar teacher I need .......excellent lesson

[@Rudemoode]

Wow, this is amazing. A lot of what I'm thinking and trying to do verbalized. Great, great insights. Truly inspiring. Thank you fellas.

[@TheDoobiesnatcher]

A great lesson the example you played reminded me of Johnny Marr's style of playing

[@samhenry472]

Tim, the first thing I notice about your playing is;'your damn good.

[@jezzbass1826]

Thank you very much Tim!

[@markdesouza6044]

Really nice stuff. Simple way of thinking through chordal melodies and traveling to/from target notes. THanks!

[@nieze]

Two great instructors 1 amazing video. Thanks to both

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

Great video. Thanks so much for sharing all of this incredible knowledge with the world.

[@DexterDexter123]

Reminds me a lot of one of my fav solos of all time. Which is relatively new. (Compared to my usual 30-50 year old favourites) If you haven’t heard it check out ‘There’s no me without you’ by Glen Campbell. Corgan, Setzer and Nielsen = amazing.

[@williamwagnon2809]

Awesome lesson! I can't believe how simple you put this. It's a great place to move on from.

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Wish I would've caught you two at NAMM, next year!

[@richardsrensen4219]

Tim Pierce is the man to learn from

[@joshmuz9018]

Man I love that Anderson guitar, my fave Tim uses

[@guitargod6997]

Great playing! The CAGED system does help beginners and intermediate players get the "lay of the land" so to speak and especially the idea of landing on target tones, but I hesitate to encourage guitarists to think of the fret board as a "visual" schemata rather than as an "auditory" comprehension of intervals. Ultimately, I think you develop the capacity to play what you hear in your mind. To me the key, beyond knowing the fret board cold, is thinking about improvising over chord changes as anticipating where you want to go (target tones) and developing the technique to make manifest what you hear in your mind. Not necessarily scatting or singing each note of an improvised solo so much as letting your subconscious connect the dots as you listen intently in the flow to the "piano roll" in your mind.

[@brianholland1243]

I heard that Ed King dreamed the solo to " Sweet Home Alabama "in a similar way and, I myself have discovered this phenomena while recording and creating .,