CAGED MAPSee your target notes.
C · E · G
A C major chord contains these three notes. Find them on the fretboard and hear how they sound.
CAGED MAP · INTERACTIVE GUITAR FRETBOARD
Understand the fretboard.
Explore your chords.
To improvise a solo, connect chords, arpeggios and scales on the fretboard. Explore positions and fingerings in the interactive chord catalogue.
Try it free, with no account.
C MAJOR · OPEN POSITIONTry it here
C gives you target notes: C, E and G.
Find the same notes one by one to create a phrase.
Add passing notes while keeping the chord tones in view.
Numbers = fingers · 0 = open string1234567Degrees
EXPLORE THE FRETBOARD
Connect chord, arpeggio and scale.
Explore CAGED shapes and see chords, arpeggios, scales and fingerings in the same fretboard area.
See how it works →CHORD AND FINGERING CATALOGUE
One chord, many possibilities.
Find a chord, compare its positions and discover different voicings and fingerings for your accompaniment. Open a diagram to explore the chord on the fretboard.
Try the catalogue in Lite →Choose a chord→Compare voicings→Explore on the fretboard
CHORD CATALOGUEC major3 catalogue positions
Diagrams from the published catalogue · numbers = fingerings · ○ = open string · × = muted string
UNDERSTAND THE FRETBOARD, CHOOSE YOUR NOTES
How do you build a guitar solo?
Start with the chord tones.
To improvise, find the chord tones in the arpeggio, then connect them with the scale. CAGED Map shows these target notes in the same fretboard area.
Find them one by one.
C · E · G
An arpeggio plays chord tones one at a time. See where to find them as you build a phrase.
Connect them to the other notes.
C · D · E · F · G · A · B
The scale gives you more options. Find passing notes while keeping track of your chord-tone targets.
See the connections. Link sound to your fingers. Build your own solos.
TRY IT WITH YOUR GUITAR
Seven chords,
one shared scale.
C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim · C major
CAGED shapes C and A · triads
Choose a chord, move to its arpeggio and then the scale. Turn on Understand to follow the explanations. Tap the fretboard to hear the notes.
Now explore.
Other settings remain visible so you can see what the full version offers.
Sound starts after you interact.
On a phone, turn to landscape for a wider fretboard.
Fingerings · notes · intervals · Understand mode · C/F/G catalogueOpen the Lite demo full-screen
CHOOSE HOW FAR TO EXPLORE
Start with Lite.
Go further with the full version.
CAGED Map Lite
- All 7 chords in C major
- CAGED shapes C and A
- Triads, arpeggios and scale
- Notes, intervals and fingerings
- Understand mode
- Catalogue limited to C, F and G
CAGED Map
- Major and minor keys
- All five CAGED shapes
- Triads, seventh chords and their arpeggios
- Scales, pentatonics and blues
- Chord catalogue
- Understand mode, notes, intervals and fingerings
- Add to Home Screen and use offline after the first download
17 € · One-time purchase · No subscription · Updates included
The app and introductory guidance are currently in French.
CAGED Map is evolving: positions and fingerings are reviewed and corrected progressively.
Getting started with guitar improvisation: your questions.
How do I start improvising on guitar?
Start with a few notes and a short phrase. In the demo, choose C, find C, E and G, then locate them in the arpeggio and the C major scale. Play slowly, vary the rhythm and leave space. Aim for a phrase you like hearing rather than covering every fret.
Which notes should I play over a chord?
Chord tones give you useful targets. Over C major, they are C, E and G. Use them to begin or end a phrase, then explore the other notes in a scale that suits the song. Rhythm, note length and accompaniment also affect what you hear.
What is the difference between a chord, arpeggio and scale?
A chord combines notes played together. An arpeggio plays chord tones one by one. A scale organises notes that can form melodies and chords. In the C major demo, the C chord and its arpeggio share C, E and G; the scale also contains D, F, A and B.
Which scale works over C, F and G?
In a C major progression, the C major scale contains the notes of all three chords: C = C, E, G; F = F, A, C; G = G, B, D. CAGED Map Lite lets you compare them in one fretboard area. Targeting the active chord tones helps you hear the changes.
Do I need to read sheet music to use CAGED Map?
No. Fingerings show where to place your fingers; the Notes and Intervals views help you name and understand what you play. Knowing a few guitar chords makes it easier to begin.
How does the CAGED system help me understand the fretboard?
The CAGED system uses five chord shapes: C, A, G, E and D. They connect chord, arpeggio and scale positions on the fretboard. In CAGED Map, you explore those relationships one area at a time.
Is this a complete soloing course?
It is a visual and audio tool for finding your bearings, not a complete course. Rhythm, phrasing, listening and playing songs remain essential.
How do I use the app on a phone?
The full version works in a browser and can be added to your Home Screen. On iPhone, open the link in Safari, tap Share (sometimes under the ellipsis menu), then Add to Home Screen. Labels and placement depend on your Safari version. Landscape gives you a wider fretboard.
Do I need an internet connection every time?
Keep your internet connection on for the first download until the app confirms offline availability. Offline use depends on your browser retaining the data; if you clear it, download again. Updates are retrieved when you open the app online.
What happens after purchase?
You receive an access PDF with the link to the full app and instructions to open and install it. If you need help, contact me at contact@christophegauche.com.
PICK UP YOUR GUITAR
Your next reference point
is under your fingers.
Start with C, F and G. See what connects them.