CAGED SYSTEM VS 3NPS (THREE-NOTES-PER STRING)? It’s Easy If You Do It Smart!

CAGED SYSTEM VS 3NPS (THREE-NOTES-PER STRING)? It’s Easy If You Do It Smart!

12/09/2023 0 By Matt Gwinnutt

Introduction

What’s the difference between the CAGED system and three notes per string (3nps)? The two systems have some noticeable differences, but what exactly are they? Which system is best? And what are the pros and cons of each system? Let’s take a closer look.

In order to navigate the fretboard and master scales and chords, guitarists frequently employ the CAGED system or the 3nps (three-note-per-string) system. What distinguishes the two systems most significantly is as follows:

What are the pros and Con’s of each System?

Here are some pros and cons of the 3NPS (Three-Note-Per-String) system and the CAGED system for guitar:

1. Increased speed and efficiency: The 3nps system allows for consistently even note-spacing, making it easier to play fast and fluid sequences.

2. Fluid and extended scale patterns: Due to the consistent layout of the 3NPS system, it is easier to play scales across the entire fretboard in a linear fashion without having to shift positions.

3. Flexibility for advanced techniques: The 3NPS system lends itself well to advanced techniques like legato, string skipping, and sweep picking. It provides a more symmetrical fingerboard layout, which can be advantageous for executing these techniques.

Cons of the 3NPS system:

1. Limited chord voicings: The 3nps system focuses primarily on scales and lead playing, so it may not offer as many readily available chord voicings as the CAGED system.

2. Less emphasis on position playing: While the 3nps system allows for seamless playing across the entire fretboard, it might not emphasise learning and visualising positions as much as the CAGED system.

3. Requires more finger stretching: The 3NPS system often requires wider finger stretches, which can be challenging for guitarists with smaller hands or less finger flexibility.

Pros of the CAGED system:

1. Comprehensive chord knowledge: The CAGED system helps guitarists develop a deep understanding of chord voicings, inversions, and shapes across the entire fretboard.

2. Visualising the fretboard: The CAGED system encourages the visualisation of the guitar neck using the five basic chord shapes (C, A, G, E, and D). This can improve overall fretboard knowledge and ease of playing.

3. Transitioning between chords: The CAGED system facilitates smooth transitions between chords, making it easier to play songs and progressions.

Cons of the CAGED system:

1. Limited scale patterns: The CAGED system initially focuses more on chord shapes, so the scale patterns may not be as fluid or consistent as those in the 3NPS system.

2. Challenges with speed and advanced techniques: The CAGED system may require more position shifts when playing scales, which can limit speed and fluidity. It may also present challenges with advanced techniques like legato or sweep picking.

3. Difficulty playing outside of the five basic chords: The CAGED system may not provide as many readily available options for playing complex or uncommon chord voicings outside of the five basic chord shapes.

It’s important to note that the choice between the 3NPS system and the CAGED system ultimately depends on personal preferences, goals, and playing style. Some guitarists may find a combination of both systems beneficial.

Understanding The CAGED System

  • Understanding the CAGED system: The CAGED system is based on the five basic open chord shapes on the guitar: C, A, G, E, and D. These chord shapes serve as a template for understanding how to connect movable chord shapes and scale patterns across the fretboard. (See below).
  • The chords are as follows, with the root note in red and the rest of the chord triad in green.
CAGED system position one
CAGED position one
CAGED system position two
CAGED position two
CAGED system position three
CAGED position three
CAGED system position four
CAGED position four
CAGED system position five
CAGED position five

Understanding the Three Notes Per String (3NPS) system

  • Understanding the 3nps system; on the other hand, focuses on scalar patterns that are arranged with three notes per string. It is designed to provide a consistent fingering pattern across the fretboard, allowing for smooth and efficient scale runs, for example, in the open position below.
3nps three notes per string open position one
3nps three notes per string open position one

2. Chord Emphasis:

  • CAGED system: One of the primary advantages of the CAGED system is its ability to integrate chord voicings with scale shapes. It emphasises learning how to connect chord shapes within a particular key, allowing guitarists to visualise the relationship between chords and scales, making it easier to play chord progressions and mix chords and scales in improvisation.
  • 3nps system: The 3nps system, while not explicitly focused on chords, is more suited for speed-oriented legato playing and scalar improvisation. It provides a systematic approach for learning scales in a way that allows you to cover the entire fretboard with consistent patterns, providing uniformity and facilitating fast playing.

3. Approach to Scale Patterns:

  • CAGED system: In the CAGED system, scale patterns are derived by combining the five basic open chord shapes with the corresponding scales. This approach typically results in patterns that cover smaller sections of the fretboard.
  • 3nps system: The 3nps system, as the name suggests, uses scale patterns with three notes per string, creating longer and more uniform patterns that traverse longer sections of the fretboard. These patterns are generally easier to learn initially and promote efficient, fluid playing across the neck.

Is the CAGED system good or bad?

The CAGED system is a useful framework for learning and visualising guitar chord shapes and scales. It can be beneficial for guitarists to understand and utilise the CAGED system to enhance their playing and improvisation skills.

What is a CAGED system?

A caged system is a concept used in music theory, specifically in relation to guitar playing. It refers to a method of organising and visualising the fretboard by dividing it into five distinct shapes or patterns, commonly referred to as C, A, G, E, and D shapes. These shapes are movable and can be used to play chords, scales, and arpeggios in different positions on the fretboard. The caged system provides a systematic approach to learning and navigating the guitar neck, allowing for easier improvisation and chord voicing across the instrument.

Is the CAGED system for beginners?

Yes, the CAGED system is often considered beneficial for beginners in learning and understanding the guitar fretboard. It provides a systematic approach to navigating the fretboard and helps with chord shapes, scale patterns, and improvisation.

Is the CAGED system worth it?

Yes, the CAGED system is worth it for guitarists. It is a helpful framework that helps in understanding the guitar fretboard and enhances your ability to play chords, scales, and arpeggios in different positions. By learning the five basic chord shapes (C, A, G, E, and D) and their movable forms, you can easily navigate the fretboard and play chords in various keys. This system provides a solid foundation for improvisation, soloing, and understanding music theory.

What about 3NPS?

3NPS stands for “Three Note Per String” and refers to a guitar playing technique where three consecutive notes are played on each string before moving to the next string. This technique is commonly used in various guitar styles, including rock, metal, and fusion. It allows for fast and fluid playing across the fretboard and can help with improving technical proficiency on the guitar.

Should I learn the 3NPS or CAGED system?

It’s recommended to learn both the 3nps (three-note-per-string) and CAGED systems, as they offer different approaches to playing the guitar. The 3nps system focuses on scale patterns that span three notes per string, allowing for efficient and fast playing across the fretboard. On the other hand, the CAGED system is based on chord shapes and helps with understanding the fretboard in terms of chord positions and inversions. By learning both systems, you can have a well-rounded understanding of the guitar neck and enhance your playing abilities.

Conclusion

Overall, the CAGED system emphasises the integration of chords and scales, making it excellent for understanding harmony and easily transitioning between chords and scales. The 3nps system, on the other hand, focuses more on speed-oriented scalar playing and the uniformity of patterns across the fretboard. Both systems have their advantages and are commonly used by guitarists, depending on their specific goals and playing styles.

Check out this great page discussing the pros and cons of both systems below!

https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/caged-vs-3-notes-per-string-3nps-scale-systems-sc-987

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