Photo credit: Kevin Sergent
So far in our journey through the basic chord shapes for guitar using the CAGED system we have unlocked the five foundational chord shapes C, A, G, E, and D in their respective major chord iterations. Here in part III we will tap into the fingering for the three most notable minor chord shapes for guitar: Em, Am, & Dm. Please ensure that the only part of each finger that touches anything is the fingertip. If our fingers are curled properly, so that the only part of each finger that touches the string is our fingertip, the notes produced by each string including the open ones will ring out clearly and unhindered. For a detailed explanation on how to curl the fingers and why that is important, please see paragraph 2 of ‘The Power of Basic Chord Shapes - Using the CAGED system: Part I’
Also see Using the Caged system Part II
To kick off Part III, we will examine the E minor chord shape played in its open position as an Em chord. Prepare by curling fingers 2 and 3 at the 1st and 2nd knuckles. Begin by placing the 2nd finger on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Next, we stack our 3rd finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Notice that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th strings are open. All six strings are being used and we will strum from the 6th string down.
Next is the A minor shape. We will now play it in the open position as a Am chord. Prepare by curling fingers 1 through 3 at the 1st and 2nd knuckles. Begin by placing the 1st finger on the 2nd string first fret. Next, place the 2nd finger on the 4th string 2nd fret. Finally we place the 3rd finger on the 3rd string 2nd fret. Notice that the 1st and 5th strings are open. Strum from the 5th string down. Note that the 6th string is not being used at this time.
Finally, we come to the D minor shape. We will examine it in its open position as a Dm chord. Start by curling fingers 1 through 3 at the first and second knuckles. Place the 1st finger on the first string, 1st fret. Next, place the 2nd finger on the 3rd string 2nd fret. Finally, place the 3rd finger on the 2nd string 3rd fret. (Alternatively, the 4th finger can be placed here in lieu of the 3rd.) Note that the 4th string is open. Strum from the 4th string down. Observe that the 5th and 6th strings are not being used at this time.
This completes the 3 most notable Minor chord shapes: Em, Am, and Dm. In a future article we will consider where the root notes for CAGED are located within each chord shape and why that is important when linking them up across the fretboard. Happy Playing!
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