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Eric Haugen’s Guitar Zen presents you with an ideal framework to bridge practice and play. The CAGED system clearly maps chord shapes and chord tones, all over the fretboard, to intuitively guide your rhythm playing, fills, and improvised solos, in any key. Learn more or start the course with membership

Course Details
50 Lessons
3 Hour+ Runtime
Tabs (gpx, pdf)
Playalong Tracks
HD+ Video
90 day guarantee
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Meet Eric Haugen

Eric Haugen is an accomplished guitarist and experienced teacher who emphasizes composition, subtlety, and tone, and his detailed transcriptions showcase not only classic guitar heroes but also those often overlooked. Currently Eric sits in with Blue Cactus and Birds and Arrows. He writes songs and plays regularly with guitar-pop buddies The Outboards as well as acoustic folk collaborative Nantahala. He also hosts a YouTube channel with over 51,000 followers. Eric knows that the mastery of the guitar is a life-long journey. He continually seeks out new techniques, theories, and songs to keep his playing and ultimately his students’ playing interesting.

4 Course Modules

Course Module 1

SECTIONS 1-2

CAGED in Open Position & CAGED Majors

  • Open Positions
  • Minor Pentatonics
  • Major Pentatonic up the fretboard
  • Solo Studies
  • Performances
Course Module 2

SECTIONS 3-4

CAGED Minors & Chord Movement

  • 5 CAGED Shaped in C Minor
  • C Minor Pentatonic Demonstrations
  • Chord Movements up the Neck
  • Barre Chord Etudes
  • Inversion Etudes
Course Module 3

SECTIONS 5-6

2-Chord Changes & Doublestops

  • 2-Chord Solo Studies
  • 2-Chord Performances
  • 5 Types of Doublestops
  • Am 5th Position
  • Bm to G Solo Studies
Course Module 4

SECTION 7

Mobile Doublestops & Solo Studies

  • Doublestops Around the Fretboard
  • Key of C 8th Position Demonstrations
  • Section 7 Solo Study and Breakdown
  • Guitars, Amps, Pedals
  • Wrap-up & Next Steps

Guitar Zen: Caged

Unleash CAGED to Power Your Rhythm, Fills and Improvised Solos

Practicing and playing are two distinct states of mind. When we practice, we're patient, repetitive and intentional, so that when we play, our creativity can flow freely, mindfully, and tastefully. The key is finding a framework that bridges those two states of mind.

For each of the seven sections in the course, you'll explore new CAGED approaches, over a series of play-along backing tracks This course offers 50 lessons covering 3+ hours of material in step-by-step, digestible presentation.

Lessons in this Course
1

Guitar Zen: CAGED: Introduction

Hey, I’m Eric Haugen. Welcome to this CAGED edition of Guitar Zen!<BR></BR>Practicing and playing are two distinct states of mind. When we practice, we’re patient, repetitive and intentional, so that when we play, our creativity can flow freely, mindfully, and tastefully. The key is finding the bridge between those two states.<BR></BR>The CAGED system is the ideal framework for guitarists in particular. Whether you're playing rhythm or improvising solos and fills, CAGED maps chord shapes and chord tones all over the fretboard, in any key.<BR></BR>In this edition, we’ll explore the 5 CAGED shapes, in both major and minor tonalities, along with the Pentatonic scales that correlate to them. We’ll start In open position, and work our way up the entire fretboard. I’ll demonstrate how to practice them effectively. I’ll also show you how to play with them creatively and tastefully.<BR></BR>For each of the seven sections in the course, we’ll explore new CAGED approaches over a series of play-along backing tracks. We’ll start with applications that focus on a particular CAGED shape, and then gradually advance to playing over simple 2 and 3 chord progressions. You’ll also have all of TrueFire’s learning tools at every step of the way, so you can learn at your own pace.<BR></BR>I’ll share a variety of patterns to use with the CAGED shapes to craft rhythmic grooves, on the fly, in any key, up and down the neck. I’ll also show you how to easily find and play a variety of double-stops inside the pentatonic CAGED framework.<BR></BR>You’ll notice my intention here is for everything to be very airy and loose - not difficult to play, so you can rewire your brain to bring musical ideas to life on the fretboard rather than chasing your fingers around hot licks or scales.<BR></BR>Are you ready to get started? Pick up your guitar, take a breath, and let’s begin.

2:57 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 1: CAGED in the Open Position: Overview

We sometimes mistakenly associate the open postion with "beginner" playing. However, if we really want to know the fretboard, we should make sure that anything we do up high we can do down low.

1:37 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

3

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major Pentatonic: Open Position: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C major chord and the C major pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

6:40 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

4

Guitar Zen: CAGED - A Minor Pentatonic: Open Position: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the A minor chord and the A minor pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

7:22 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

5

Guitar Zen: CAGED - G Major Pentatonic: Open Position: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the G major chord and the G major pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

6:39 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

6

Guitar Zen: CAGED - E Minor Pentatonic: Open Position: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the E minor chord and the E minor pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

5:28 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

7

Guitar Zen: CAGED - D Minor Pentatonic: Open Position: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the D minor chord and the D minor pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

5:47 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

8

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 1 Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that combines C, Am, and G with thier respective pentatonic scales in a minimal & soundscapey way. This is to show you how we might use this idea in a song.

1:32 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
9

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 1 Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

6:32 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

10

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 2: CAGED Majors up the Fretboard: Overview

Welcome to CAGED going up the fretboard! Every chord has 5 options. That's really all there is to it. Every triad, arpeggio, inversion, lick, run, etc. is somehow connected to one of these. Here they are in C major.

0:56 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

11

Guitar Zen: CAGED - 5 CAGED Shapes of C Major: Demonstration

Welcome to CAGED going up the fretboard! Every chord has 5 options. That's really all there is to it. Every triad, arpeggio, inversion, lick, run, etc. is somehow connected to one of these. Here they are in C major.

2:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

12

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major Pentatonic: A Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C major chord and the C major pentatonic out of the "A" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

7:31 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

13

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major Pentatonic: G Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C major chord and the C major pentatonic out of the "G" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

7:08 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

14

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major Pentatonic: E Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C major chord and the C major pentatonic out of the "E" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

6:22 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

15

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major Pentatonic: D Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C major chord and the C major pentatonic out of the "D" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

10:01 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

16

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 3: CAGED Minors up the Fretboard: Overview

Welcome to CAGED going up the fretboard! Every chord has 5 options. That's really all there is to it. Every triad, arpeggio, inversion, lick, run, etc. is somehow connected to one of these. Here they are in C minor.

0:43 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

17

Guitar Zen: CAGED - 5 CAGED Shapes of C Minor: Demonstration

Welcome to CAGED going up the fretboard! Every chord has 5 options. That's really all there is to it. Every triad, arpeggio, inversion, lick, run, etc. is somehow connected to one of these. Here they are in C minor.

3:45 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

18

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor Pentatonic: Cm Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C minor chord and the C minor pentatonic in the open position. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

4:49 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

19

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor Pentatonic: Am Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C minor chord and the C minor pentatonic out of the "A" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

7:33 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

20

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor Pentatonic: Gm Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C minor chord and the C minor pentatonic out of the "G" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

5:49 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

21

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor Pentatonic: Em Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C minor chord and the C minor pentatonic out of the "E" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

5:00 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

22

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor Pentatonic: Dm Shape: Demonstration

How to see the connection between the C minor chord and the C minor pentatonic out of the "D" shape. Also, how to GROOVE on this connection so that it becomes internalized.

5:54 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

23

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 3 Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that combines several of the C minor pentatonic structures in a minimal & soundscapey way. This is to show you how we might use this idea in a song.

1:05 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

24

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 3 Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

9:41 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

25

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 4: Moving the Chords Around: Overview

Once we understand the CAGED shapes and their respective pentatonics, the next step is moving them off of the strutures I've presented and onto any other chord you may ever encounter in your life.

0:59 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

26

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Major to D Major: C Shape: Demonstration

How to move the open position C chord up two frets, thereby creating a "C shaped D chord."

5:32 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

27

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C Minor to D Minor: C Shape: Demonstration

How to move the open position C minor chord up two frets, thereby creating a "C shaped D minor chord."

5:13 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

28

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 4 Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that combines several of the A minor pentatonic structures in a minimal & soundscapey way. This is to show you how we might use this idea in a song.

0:39 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

29

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 4 Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

6:20 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

30

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 5: Playing

In real life, chords change. That's where CAGED becomes very useful. And yes, tricky! To test our ability to recall the structures we play over simple 2 chord changes.

1:14 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

31

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Bm to G Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that goes between Bm and G in a minimal & soundscapey way. By using CAGED shapes and thier respective pentatonics, we are able to float across the fretboard.

0:55 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

32

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Bm to G Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

6:53 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

33

Guitar Zen: CAGED - E to C Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that goes between E and C in a minimal & soundscapey way. By using CAGED shapes and thier respective pentatonics, we are able to float across the fretboard.

0:49 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

34

Guitar Zen: CAGED - E to C Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

9:34 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

35

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 6: Doublestops: Overview

Any time we play 2 notes together we are playing some kind of doublestop. Pentatonics are very unique in their ability to generate so many simple, thouroughly musical combinations.

1:17 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

36

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Am 5th Position “Flatties”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the Am barre chord at the 5th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our minor pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved by laying our fingers flat.

4:49 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

37

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Am 5th position “Slidey Flatties”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the Am barre chord at the 5th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our minor pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Now SLIDE those pairs around.

2:53 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

38

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Am 5th position “Flatties to Diagonals”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the Am barre chord at the 5th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our minor pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Then, raise the lower tone of the pair while keeping the upper tone static.

4:52 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

39

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Am 5th position “Hammered Diagonals”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the Am barre chord at the 5th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our minor pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Then, hammeron the lower tone of the pair while keeping the upper tone static. THIS IS THE "HENDRIX" DOUBLESTOP.

4:10 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

40

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Am 5th position “Single Notes to Doublestops”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the Am barre chord at the 5th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), we look at the possibilites of combining single-note pentatonic melodies with doublestops.

3:53 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

41

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 7: Moving Doublestops Around: Overview

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our major pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat.

0:39 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

42

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C 8th position “Flatties”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our major pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat.

3:32 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

43

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C 8th position “Slidey Flatties

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our major pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Now SLIDE those pairs around.

2:35 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

44

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C 8th position “Flatties to Diagonals”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our major pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Then, raise the lower tone of the pair while keeping the upper tone static.

4:03 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

45

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C 8th position “Hammered Diagonals”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), take our major pentatonic scale and begin pairing notes that are easily achieved my laying our fingers flat. Then, hammeron the lower tone of the pair while keeping the upper tone static. THIS IS THE "HENDRIX" DOUBLESTOP.

4:47 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

46

Guitar Zen: CAGED - C 8th position “Single Notes to Doublestops”: Demonstration

From the perspective of the C barre chord at the 8th fret (the CAGED "E" shape), we look at the possibilites of combining single-note pentatonic melodies with doublestops.

6:57 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

47

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 7 Solo Study: Performance

A short etude that goes across a simple 4 bar progression in a minimal & soundscapey way. By using CAGED shapes, thier respective pentatonics & doublestops we are able to float across the fretboard.

1:27 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

48

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Section 7 Solo Study: Breakdown

Now lets break it all down in detail.

11:55 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

49

Guitar Zen: CAGED - Guitar, Amp & Pedals: Demonstration

A walkthrough what sound tools I'm using for this series and why I chose to use them.

10:29 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

50

Guitar Zen: CAGED: Course Wrap-up & Next Steps

Play slow and elegant. Breathe. Take it easy, my duders! That's the main thing - the more we can relax and give ourselves the time and space we need to play clean, the better we play, the better we feel!

2:05 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty