5 CAGED Shapes of C-Major Pentatonic (With Intervals)

Chart to help you learn the 5 shapes (a.k.a patterns, a.k.a positions) of C-Major pentatonic scale of the CAGED system for guitar. Fretboard diagrams are arranged diagonally to show you where patterns line up. The numbers inside the circles and squares represent intervals (scale degrees relative to the major scale). Root tones have a stronger visual emphasis to provide soloing landmarks and a better overview of the shape's primary "anchor points" to help you memorize and internalize all 5 shapes.

Pro tip: since these diagrams have intervals instead of concrete note names you can view this chart as a recipe for any major pentatonic scale, not just C-Major, the shapes will be identical for all major pentatonic scale roots.

For example, to get CAGED shapes for the G-Major pentatonic scale you just need to align the E-shape's (pattern 1) root tone with the 3rd fret of the lowest 6th string. CAGED shapes are always ordered as the CAGED-word is spelled. So for our G-Major pentatonic example the next shape towards the guitar's bridge would be the D-shape, and the previous shape towards the guitar's nut would be the G-shape.

These relative scale degrees (or intervals) may help transform your entire approach to soloing. How? You no longer look at a "pool" of notes to choose from—instead, you focus on certain tones of the scale (or chord) that add specific "color" to your playing. That is only possible if you are aware of what relative degree you are playing and what effect each of its intervals has to the underlying harmony. And this is exactly what these diagrams can help you with.