Stop Using Only Your First Frets!

🎸In this easy lesson, we'll learn how to play easy open chords up the guitar neck. We'll explore all 5 CAGED Shapes and you'll get a much better understanding of your guitar fretboard. Happy trails! 👉 My Guitar Courses Are FREE! Choose Yours: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons #justinguitar #guitarforbeginners #justinguitargrade3
3️⃣ This lesson is part of my Beginner Guitar Course - Grade 3. Full program here: www.justinguitar.com/classes/...
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👉 Video Chapters
00:00 Moving Easy Chord Shapes
01:22 Exploring the C Shape
08:38 Exploring the A Shape
14:24 Exploring the G Shape
15:42 Exploring the E Shape
20:48 Exploring the D Shape
24:19 Practice Sessions Tips
25:08 Exploring Minor Shapes
29:21 Extra Info & Fingering
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[@justinguitar]

🎸JustinGuitar Beginner Grade 3 - Free Course Here: www.justinguitar.com/classes/beginner-guitar-course-grade-three

[@Jamison_IO]

This is why lessons are important. I've been screwing around for 20 years and never stumbled on to this. I understood the caged system, but this is a real eye-opener. Thank you.

[@justinguitar]

Comments like yours are very motivating! :) Thank you.

[@Jamison_IO]

@@justinguitar What you have done for teaching guitar is a model to be praised and recreated. It is one of the finest examples of how the internet can be used in a positive, constructive and horizon expanding way. Thank you.

[@PauloRicardo-fc4li]

Same here! Very instructive lesson!

[@bertseverijnen1793]

Thx from The Netherlands. This video opened a complete unused part of my guitar. I'm certain I'm going to explore more as you suggest.

[@gregschroer2314]

Absolutely great I've really studied the cage system but this opens up a whole new can of worms thank you very much Justin .

[@ronlight7013]

This is going to sound really weird, but I got a very big hit of dopamine watching this lesson (and only made it through C and A before I had to stop and take a break). I've seen literally hundreds (if not thousands) of KZbin guitar instructionals, and generally I find them either too mechanistic for my taste or too challenging for my ability. This one hit at the right performance level for me, and beyond that, Justin seems focused on the sheer joy and ingenuity of trying and applying different chord voicings over the more common and conventional choices. This lessons resides somewhere beyond the rigors of learning to play guitar and the lofty aspiration to make beautiful music.

[@35mmonica]

he inspires hope :)

[@stevescuba1978]

Not weird to me. Everytime I make a breakthrough with my guitar, I get another hit. I've been progressing at a much faster pace the last year, so it's been a real high time!

[@SpitfireRoad]

I absolutely came here to say this. This to me was the greatest acoustic guitar lesson ever.

[@brianmitchell132]

Great comment, I agree!

[@richhistory4087]

Had to stop 6 minutes in and pick up the guitar with excitement, what a great lesson !

[@sandro_the_guy]

Man I even felt guilty that I watched this lesson for free, packed with so many valuable eye-opener information for someone who’s stucked with cowboy chords for years like me. Thank you for making and sharing content like this. It really makes me just wanna get home right away and pick my guitar up to practise.

[@Invisible_Hermit]

WOW! 60 year old here who has been playing guitar for about a year and a half; Grade 2 Module 9 with JustinGuitar. This video just opens the gate WIDE for exploring SO MUCH OF THE GUITAR! Justin, you are such a great teacher, full of passion and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for this incredibly cool video; it really taps deeply into the well of one's musicality!

[@xaviduch]

One of the best "explore and try yourself" lessons for guitar I have ever seen on KZbin! Bravo Justin!

[@51skibum2]

This is the first CAGED lesson that really makes sense to me. Thank you. A lot of new things to try out.

[@captianazerith735]

I think this video just convinced me to get a journal and write out not only these but document the sounds I like in general. I’ve struggled with bar chords, got an electric a few days ago and though I was doomed to use a capo to play what I can play on acoustic. This unlocks sooo much more. And yea I know I should learn bar chords anyway… I will…

[@MakatiMazz]

I was blown away by this video! I’ve been playing for over 50 years, and I rarely thought to try moving the open chords. What a great idea. It just goes to show you can always learn something new with the guitar.

[@exquisiteoath]

This may be one of the most inspiring guitar videos I've watched in a long time. A large part of this is that I used to do this all the time and then various teaching approaches reinforcing the idea that these are "not the grips you are looking for" got under my skin. Thank you so much for normalizing this kind of exploration.

[@justinguitar]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate your comment a very big deal. :)

[@paultaylor731]

Justin's a genius. All these years of boring chords for my songwriting and he sorts it in 30 minutes!

[@scarecrowscarecrow2621]

One of the songs you may have been thinkin' of that uses the "D" all over is, "End of the Line" -Traveling Wilburys. Always great lessons/ideas.........

[@alkrayev]

Justin, thank you so much. I got a lot to say because for over three months i have learned so much from you. You are super motivating because you show things on guitar and freedom around it. This lesson turned my vision of chords in a wonderful way. I tried all the progressions you offered. It gave me really a lot of fun and amazement. In the process of learning each scale i tried the songs i know in a different way and most of them DO work in other mood. Some don't but that's music and art as it is. This lesson took me about a week, now i got a chord book based on your lesson. I got interested in CAGED and listened to many people, read some "manuals"... disappointment - too complicated, giving no practical usage, and most of them boring without examples. You are truly great. I could stop and play some 3-4 chords around for 15 more minutes, with diiferent replacements and strumming. It's definitely so much fun. Spending time with you is fun. Thank you again.

[@LeeSideSailing]

Can’t wait to try this and jump up my plateau in my guitar playing. Thank you!!

[@justinguitar]

Have fun! It really is a great place to do that :)

[@blacksunshine7122]

I taught myself to play geetar back in the 90s. ( by watching others play- didn't learn the notes very much...i just played) I created my own songs and ultimately performed on the regular. I've paused playing for years and even forgot my own songs. So, I'm looking for a great channel to actually learn to notes and this channel speaks the learning skills language I understand. Thank you.

[@Suninitib]

Such a good lesson Justin. Especially for people like me who are afraid of moving down the fret board but really want to. Thank you. 🤗🤗🤗

[@ancientfifer]

Thank you! I have been struggling with the bar chords in learning the CAGED system, and this just opens new doors for me as I continue to learn.

[@nickdegiglio]

Awesome lesson! I just found you here. I'm a disabled Army veteran. I just started taking guitar lessons with Guitars for Vets. They help veterans heal through the power of music. I love your channel. I'm always looking to learn more than just basic chords.

[@danluther1741]

Excellent! I've written countless songs using cowboy chords. I've learned some of this through trial & error but I will watch THIS vid over & over & will write countless more songs from what I learn!! Thanks!!!!

[@PiotrKozowski-dl5nc]

Hi Justin, many many thanks for your effort. I am a biginner, have my guitar 2 weeks and struggle to choose how to learn playing. I found your course and dicided to learn as you are suggesting. It make very sense to me what I must learn scales for. Thank you once again.

[@marilyngilley5565]

Thanks Justin, Your such a blessing! Wonderful lesson, can’t wait to try it..Thank you so much😊

[@anthonyangelis1094]

Thank you for this lesson Justin this is one I’m gonna come back to over and over again. This is absolutely eye-opening -just in exploring all these amazing different sounds and variations! I’m exploring the a shape right now and I’m just completely amazed thank you!

[@zettepix2009]

Awesome lesson. On top of learning, it is a pleasure to listen to you. You put so much passion and make it somfun and enjoyable. Today you’ve opened a myriad of possibilities to me. I finally get the caged.

[@scoggers1628]

This is a superb lesson; there's so much to delve into AND it gives you the tools to mindset to explore further. Hats off to you Justin! Thank you.

[@MashaT22]

I started messing around with moving the the d chord and Bm chord around because they are easily accessible at the edge of the fretboard. You can strum the bottom 3 or 4 strings (I keep the Bm open on the D string). They are great to start experimenting with - and to be honest, it sounds really nice on every fret, unlike some of the other chord shapes that sound wonky in some of the frets (like the C chord example Justin showed first). That Spanish thing works with the D chord in the second, fourth and fifth frets (I think - I’m not holding my guitar) similar to what Justin showed with the A chord shape. I also kicked it up a notch recently by lifting each of my fingers on at a time or adding to experiment with the sounds, and most of the time it’s really cool sounding! I really haven’t tried moving other chord shapes too much on my own unless it’s been called for in song tabs. I am going to mess around with some of the others! I bet this would be fun to try with alternate tunings - especially the open alternates like Open E (ala “She Talks to Angels). Fun stuff!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

This is great. I’ve been doing this already, intuitively. But seeing an explanation behind musical structure is very helpful. Thanks!

[@Jamaicangurl81]

This was a GREAT lesson! 😍 I can't wait to try it. Thank you so much

[@frankyfernandes6283]

This channel deserves more subscribers. The expert is sharing all this in a very well organised and systematic way on his Website. Thank you.

[@Mezilesialan]

We did enjoy this Justin. The joy of shifting chord shapes up and down the strings ! Exploring. Experimenting . Discovering. Wonderful ! . Thank you . Alan

[@ingonowack3839]

Hi Justin, happy new year to y`all! This video is the highlight of the day to me, I hope I`m gonna absorb those tricks fast! Some very nice variants or versions of chord progressions that are more common to the people! Thank you very much, take care and rock on!

[@rayneraloysius1401]

Perfect Justin. I would love to apply D7, F7, G7 and A7 chords in C pattern when I do busking. Literally, I sing and play guitar. This is really super amazing chords to be used❤

[@joeyhandeland983]

Wow, so happy I stumbled on this. Great instructional video. Thanks for posting 🙏 I definitely subscribed.

[@DavidS19551]

Thanks, this just opened my eyes..never know, I can't barr, I use to. I played in my teens to 25 years old. I'm 68 and picked it back up about 5 years ago. My hands don't do what they use to do. I believe if I never had put it down, would never had lost my finger strength. Great video!!

[@maxherron1376]

I'm going to spend several weeks with this lesson. Thank you, Justin!!!

[@sinclairashmanprintmaker3909]

Many thanks Justin! A brilliant and extremely useful lesson. I'll have a lot of fun exploring this and weaving it into my playing :)

[@kerinatrapmore3551]

Just started level 2 and loving it. Have been experimenting with this too and love it. Love learning with you 👍😀

[@nintendianajones64]

This is the best video I've seen from you so far. Please do more like this.

[@melancholiac]

This is great. I can't do Barre chords so this enables me to add colour to my simple chords. Very useful indeed.

[@t4texastom587]

WoW. This is fantastic. I'm so glad that I stumbled onto this. Thanks Justin!

[@margiereynoldsbrown]

Love this lesson! I was just learning the intro/outro for The Traveling Wilburys, End of the Line, which uses that moveable D shape!

[@thomasr.01]

Justin, this was amazingly helpful!! I've been through it three times, am taking notes and will probably have to practice all of these things for months to get this one lesson solid! Wow!! You've been so helpful in my guitar learning. I'm 6 months in and going strong!

[@TheShrubbist]

You've just taken 1-4-5 to a new level! Actually, Steve Howe from Yes does a lot with open voicing. Great video!

[@charmianwebster3668]

LOVE your work!! Great lesson Justin. Thank you ❤

[@bettyswunghole3310]

This lesson's an absolute goldmine just on its own!

[@sevensorrows2595]

The best guitar video I've watched in AGES! Thanks Justin.🙏

[@deans.8659]

Thanks so much Justin!! Incredibly helpfull. Pushes me to next level. Fantastic video!!

[@lefty5757]

Thank you Justin, this is a very good lesson, just what I was looking for.

[@georgev8479]

Great new and fun lesson. Such useful tools to navigate the fret board and not be bored. It really lets the guitar ring out with some open strings. I am experimenting with the pinky finger on the high E string at times to add that extra note. I am 65 , just retired and getting back into playing again. Your lessons are keeping me interested and learning new ways to play that sound great too. Thank You so much!!!!!

[@user-vf5yw4pj8o]

Great tips Justin. I never knew you could move the base chords and get such great tones ! Thank you sooo much appreciated 👍🎸!

[@TrinityVanWilliams]

Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your knowledge for free. Definitely will be donating/subscribing.

[@keithsurridge6022]

Justin! You're a saviour! So useful when the fire for learning is burning less brightly.

[@8369378]

Great lesson. Been messing around with this stuff for a while and this kinda legitimises it. Thanks, man.

[@weets69]

Holy shi…. Justin you just opened up my fretboard world I’ve been struggling with for years in 30 plus minutes. Thx man.

[@timothygreer2400]

Justin, I've used moveable chords in my playing, however I've never heard of the C shape Eb chord. That chord sounds awesome after a C, and it definitely has a minor sound to it!

[@HengeStone_Sun]

Just came across your old video 14yrs old, now I'm here love your work brother. Love how the background has changed

[@tombryan1]

I do this all the time, it's a great way to come up with your tunes. Great video Justin.

[@maahisingh_777]

This was awesome Master(Guru)! I loved it! I guess my heart was looking for this kind of exploration! Thank you so much! Lots of love from India! Your fan, Mandy! ❤🤗🙏

[@sawekziokowski7114]

Mind blowing ! I recently starter doing this without knowing about this video. But i will greatly benefit from this. thank you

[@r.y.4854]

Hi Justin. Thanks a lot for your dedicated guitar lessons. This one is another super!!👍🏻

[@justinguitar]

Thanks! Appreciate your support :)

[@wallybornmann8336]

I have so much I could say about this video. I spent my life, made money even, playing what I call 3 chords and a capo songs. I always told myself I wanted to get away from that but never did. Now, here you are with this video. The paying gigs are gone, I'd set my guitar and capo aside, and today I find this. Time to create new calluses. Thank you.

[@mrp3930]

Thanks for that video, I can't read a note of music but pick out tunes and create my own stuff and that's opened up a whole world of creativity....

[@paulymullo]

Heya justin,paul here,im 46 and a newbie,always wanted to learn and 4 mths ago got a steel string acoustic,and at first i fel silly,coz i never held a guitar before,didnt even know how many strings,nothing,but 4mts on thanks to you justin,iv now got a couple of songs and a lot of intros,like ye know the intros and bits and pieces,i can play wonderwall by oasis,and lola by the kinks,and a mish mash od whiskey in the jar pat thin lizzy unplugged,but lots of bits and pieces,and i started from my first chord Eminor and G,then just snowballed,but its chords that if i know the chords in a song,il look and i would have to know it by ear too,then i pick up the strumming pattern easy,justin on the songs i know by ear 1,then chords 2,then i can get the strumming rythem easy just by start playing like trial and error,then when i think its alright,ish,i then look at the strumming pattern and 9 times out of 10 its just a bit of tweeking,the odd up when i went down,like ive noticed ii seem to start dwn dwn up dwn up dwn,or ther abouts,im prob wrong,but ah sorry justin im rambling,i get excited even lookin at my guitar,i dont feel silly,i feel like im on a journey,and the few times a day practicing takes me away,thanks to you and you tutorials,oh my guitar is a Jumbo model,so i go out to the shed coz it bellows out loud,or just use my thumb for the quite practess,alright thanks justin for all the help,sorry for rambling on🎸🎸🎸👌👌👌

[@michaeldematteis3409]

I knew my basic chords,bar chords.but the caged shapes are awesome.when I learned them,I really took off.i figured out loads of little triad shapes from shorting them.then making them major 7s ,dom7s,6th chords,diminished,augmented,sus chords,then you got all the minor stuff.goes on and on .so cool

[@streck0486]

Great stuff! I was planning to start my chord book tomorrow. This will fill it up quickly.

[@terrypatterson1481]

Great Vlog Justin I learned so much from this.

[@markbrewer4785]

Dude, this has been THE LESSON of lessons. Thank you so much for all that you do.

[@SebastianAhlqvist-ss8be]

Wow what a great video, sounds amazing! Thanks!!

[@victorodhiamboagigo1709]

This lesson has helped in exploring the fretboard. Very useful for breaking away from the neck region.

[@tonybraines7172]

Love open chords. Triads and diads too. Thanks Justin

[@Skol999]

Love it. Really useful. Thanks so much.

[@KiwiMC99]

Powerful stuff, thanks J!

[@Guitarooster52]

I really enjoyed this lesson. Thanks!

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome lesson. Thank you for sharing your tips ❤❤

[@peak1ng_ducky809]

Thanks Justin!!! This was great!

[@richardvermeulen3123]

Wow! Very inspiring Justin! Thanks a lot!

[@theowest4540]

Just found your lesson. It was really awesome to watch. learnt alot.

[@SimonFreston]

Great video as always Justin! Thank you very much!

[@donscott763]

Sold!!! Damn, that's months worth of stuff for me in 20 minutes. Moving around the fret board is the perfect new way for me as a beginner to kick it up. Great great great. And, btw, he's often muting the 6 string (low E) with his middle finger on the C and E shapes

[@jamesmcgraw724]

This guy is great and very pleasant to listen to … the explanation of moving chords around is inspiring and made for a great learning experience. Newbie to his channel but confirmed subscriber now.

[@gingerwilliams8870]

yeah! just what I needed - thanks so much

[@BillRees]

Justin, your videos are a joy to behold. Thank you.

[@YesYouFoundMelissa]

Thank you for this! I’d been a bit stuck at a plateau and this moved the needle 😊

[@skobuffs5761]

Great lesson Justin thank you!

[@Kingbeer01]

Brilliant video thank you for sharing your knowledge. Always good to learn more even though it may take a long time for it all to sink in lol

[@johnstrange880]

I seem to learn more when you chord search, lots of fun thanks Justin.

[@Doowopsid]

This was great and helpful, thank you

[@keithinscho374]

This is so inspiring. THANK YOU

[@darringodden7225]

The first few minutes was enough for me. I am going to drive my lot mad now. Thank you Justin.

[@choochoochooseyou]

One of my favourite lessons of yours, Justin.

[@markweaver8529]

This lesson is priceless. Thankyou Justin.

[@joesenior9139]

Amazing! what a find! brilliant, thanks a million!

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Love love love Justin’s lessons🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Naolslager]

Thanks Justin. This is gold! Yes, a bit overwhelmed.

[@urbanoramos5229]

Always love this type of videos ,reminding the intros of Supertramp or Def Leppard and many others

[@cyanofelis]

i cant imagine how good i would be if I had justinguitar around when i started out. Fumbling around without a smartphone or a personal laptop for reference, only with printed tabs and some books.

[@hardyshmardy]

Very nice lesson! The topic isn't new to me, but, as usual, Justin explains so well and gives wonderfully practical examples. Definitely good material to try out. As for the G-chord: The Gsus2-fingering of the open chord has some nice up-the-neck variations, as I learned from The Decemberists' "Make You Better".

[@jeffspaulding6596]

Stupendous! Love this guys style of teaching!

[@j.r.9158]

Just came across your channel,glad I did!Now I can learn the other 90% of the fretboard I hadn't used,thank Justin!!

[@Gerwin_Deenen]

Awesome video Justin!