When To Use Your CAGED Major Chord Shapes

After learning the CAGED major chord shapes all over the neck, a lot of students may use pieces of the C and G shapes in arpeggios from time to time, but for the most part they won't be played as chords unless in open position. However, each chord shape is useful and has its own unique strengths:

C shape
(x13513)
Because this ends on a M3, it's less resolved sounding than a G or E chord shape. We hear the R-M3-P5 followed by an R-M3 and expect a P5 to follow. This is part of why the C shape arpeggio ending on that P5 sounds so much more resolved than the chord.

A C shape chord is very strong as a I chord in a song because of it ending on that M3. You REALLY expect another chord after, and because of that a minor or diminished chord immediately after will sound pretty smooth. However, it's strongest as a IV and V in a I-IV-V progression, with I as a very resolved chord shape like G or E.

A shape
(x15135)
Because this ends on a R-M3-P5 it feels resolved, but slightly less resolve to it than a G or E chord. This makes it more of an all-purpose chord; resolved, but not too resolved. It's capable of starting a song as a I or being a IV or V if you want a more resolved feel to them than C shape.

G shape
(135131)
Contains a R-M3-P5 and ends on a R. Since the R-M3-P5 comes early on in the chord, its slightly less resolved sounding than an E shape chord. This makes it a good I chord to start a song with when you want that I chord to kick things off with a resolved sound. A resolved sound to a I kicking off a song makes a minor or diminished chord right after sound that much more unexpected and attention getting.

E shape
(151351)
The most resolved sounding major chord shape, because of the R-M3-P5 coming in later than in the G shape, and the R at the end. Great way to end a song to make it feel complete. Like the G shape, a minor or diminished chord right after is attention getting, but the E shape makes it EXTREMELY attention getting.

D shape
(xx1513) or (x51513)
The most unresolved sounding major chord shape. No R-M3-P5 and ends on a M3. Useful in the same applications as a C shape chord, but with the added flexibility of starting it with the P5 on the A string or not. Choosing to start it on the P5 gives it even more of an unresolved feel, whereas starting it with the R gives it a cuter feel since it's only 4 strings. Great little temporary-feeling chord. You don't expect it to last.

Note: The White Stripes use the D shape extremely well to start their song 'I'm Bound to Pack it Up'. The verse is only D shapes, giving the whole verse a consistently temporary and cute feel like fleeting happiness, which goes along with the subject matter of the song.

Come up with your own ideas of how the different chord shapes sound to you, and figure out your own applications you think they work great in. These are just suggestions to help you start thinking about their importance. Go try them out!