
Beginner
Beginner
- Learn what’s really behind the CAGED system.
- Develop a deeper understanding of chord inversions.
- Create interesting progressions all over the neck.
Scaffolding is a teaching technique used to build connections for learners before the true concept is taught. An educator will select content that is not too difficult or unfamiliar for students and will use that familiar material to make connections to the new concept.
An example of scaffolding is a teacher discussing the themes of To Kill A Mockingbird before assigning a class to read the book itself. The CAGED system shares this same structure; instead of directly learning how chords are constructed, students learn chord shapes they’re already familiar with, but move the chord shapes to new locations on the neck.
There are advantages and disadvantages to learning with a scaffolding system.
Advantages:
- Scaffolding minimizes frustration
- Scaffolding is catered to students who are quick to give up
- Building connections based on known concepts (i.e.: chord shapes) speeds up learning
Disadvantages:
- Does not promote independent learning
- Over-scaffolding creates dependence
- CAGED system cannot be applied to music in general and is specific only to the guitar.
The ultimate goal of CAGED is not to teach shapes but to teach new chords.
I would like to offer another piece of scaffolding. Chord inversions will also teach students new ways to approach chords they already know. These two scaffoldings are not in competition, but in fact aid each other.
You will create a chord progression applying both the CAGED system and chord inversions. We will use the I–VIm–IV–V progression in the key of A major: A–F#m–D–E.
What's a Chord Inversion?
An inversion occurs when a chord’s notes are rearranged, specifically which note in the bass of the chord.
An A major chord in root position is A (root) C# (3rd) E (5th)
1st inversion is C# (3rd) E (5th) A (root)
2nd inversion is E (5th) A (root) C# (3rd)
In Ex. 1 you can see these inversions played on the top three strings.
Let’s simultaneously lay out the A major chords using the CAGED system in Ex. 2. (If you need a CAGED refresher, check out "The Guitarist's Guide to the CAGED System."
You will select one of these voicings for your chord progression. As you examine all eight voicings, pay attention to which voicing you’re drawn to. This will help build your creative voice. Personally, I’ve always loved the sound of a 1st inversion chord, so I will select that for the first chord in my progression.
The second chord in our progression is an F#m. Let’s examine the inversions for this chord in Ex. 3.
In Ex. 4 you can see the F#m CAGED system chords.
I want to include some descending pitches. I will select the F#m from the CAGED system, using the "E" shape. When moving between these two voicings the energy drops in a lovely way because there are so many descending pitches. We also add three new low notes, giving this voicing a deeper sonic space. This is a sound I enjoy. You may choose whichever voicings you think sound right for your exercise.
For my example, I’m going to select a D chord in root position. Curiously, I decided against using the "A" shape of the D chord. These two chords are incredibly similar but I wanted to stay away from the lower notes. This will add contrast in my progression for a dynamic effect.
Because E major is the final chord in our progression, I’d like to hear it end on a full sound with a nice bottom end. This will contrast the high voicing of the previous chord. For these reasons I simply choose the open E chord. The final result of my progression is in Ex. 5.
Scaffolding is not good or bad, just as the CAGED system is not good or bad. The power in this lesson comes from the student making strong creative choices, and analyzing why they’re making those choices.
Create your own chord progression and think critically as you select which chords you want. The system itself doesn’t give a player creativity. It’s the implementation of the system that builds creativity.
The Sunset is a fully analog, zero latency bass amplifier simulator. It features a ¼” input, XLR and ¼” outputs, gain and volume controls and extensive equalization. It’s intended to replace your bass amp both live and in the studio.
If you need a full sounding amp simulator with a lot of EQ, the Sunset is for you. It features a five band equalizer with Treble, Bass, Parametric Midrange (with frequency and level controls), Resonance (for ultra lows), and Presence (for ultra highs). All are carefully tuned for bass guitar. But don’t let that hold you back if you’re a keyboard player. Pianos and synthesizers sound great with the Sunset!
The Sunset includes Gain and master Volume controls which allow you to add compression and classic tube amp growl. It has both ¼” phone and balanced XLR outputs - which lets you use it as a high quality active direct box. Finally, the Sunset features zero latency all analog circuitry – important for the instrument most responsible for the band’s groove.
Introducing the Sunset Bass Amp Simulator
- Zero Latency bass amp simulator.
- Go direct into the PA or DAW.
- Five Band EQ:
- Treble and Bass controls.
- Parametric midrange with level and frequency controls.
- Presence control for extreme highs.
- Resonance control for extreme lows.
- Gain control to add compression and harmonics.
- Master Volume.
- XLR and 1/4" outputs.
- Full bypass.
- 9VDC, 200mA.
Artwork by Aaron Cheney
MAP price: $210 USD ($299 CAD).
PRS Guitars celebrates 40 years with the limited edition McCarty SC56. Featuring vintage-inspired design and modern innovations, this single-cutaway guitar pays tribute to Ted McCarty and his impact on the industry. With only 400 pieces available, this instrument is a must-have for collectors and performers alike.
PRS Guitars today announced the 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition. With a classic PRS single-cutaway body shape and carefully chosen specifications, the McCarty SC56 is both a tribute to tradition and a reliable tool for the modern performer. Only 400 pieces will be made.
“The SC56, signifying Singlecut and 1956, model is our most recent tribute to my late mentor Ted McCarty and his impact on the guitar industry. We started with our take on a classic late ‘50s singlecut body. 1956 marks the year that Ted first had guitars made with his newly coined 'humbucker' pickups. It also happens to be the year I was born. Bringing vintage design into the modern era, we loaded this model with our McCarty III pickups, meticulously designed to deliver warm, clear, vintage tone with exceptional note separation and dynamics,” said PRS Guitars Founder & Managing General Partner, Paul Reed Smith.
Anchored by a maple top and mahogany back, the 24.594” scale length and 22-fret Pattern Vintage neck work with Phase III non-locking tuners and PRS two-piece bridge to promote its musical sustain. The PRS McCarty III pickups are controlled by a simple layout — two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way toggle on the upper bout.
Single-cutaway guitars are known to be heavier than their double-cutaway counterparts. The McCarty SC56 Limited Edition design incorporates weight-relief, decreasing the weight of the guitar by about 2/3 of a pound, while maintaining several points of attachment between the guitar top and back to eliminate the “hollow” sound of the cavities and promote tone transfer.
With appointments like binding on the fretboard, classic bird inlays, and a vintage-inspired nitrocellulose finish, the 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition blends heritage and innovation into a timeless instrument.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025.
For more information, please visit prsguitars.com.
40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 Limited Edition | Demo | PRS Guitars - YouTube
Belltone Guitars has partnered Brickhouse Toneworks to create a one-of-a-kind, truly noiseless Strat/Tele-tone pickup in a standard Filter’Tron size format: the Single-Bell pickup.
The Single-Bell by Brickhouse Toneworks delivers bonafide single-coil Strat and Tele tones with the power of a P-90 and no 60-cycle hum. Unlike typical stacked hum-cancelling designs, Brickhouse Toneworks uses a proprietary ‘sidewind’ approach that cancels the 60-cycle hum without sacrificing any of the dynamics or top-end sparkle of a Fender-style single coil.
Get the best of both worlds with clear bell-like tones on the neck pickup, signature quack when combining the neck and bridge pickups, and pristine twang in the bridge position backed with the fullness and power of a P-90. Push these into overdrive and experience the hallmark blues tone with plenty of grit and harmonic sustain — all with completely noiseless performance.
Key Features of the Single-Bell:
- Cast Alnico 5 Magnet, designed to be used with 500k pots
- Voiced to capture that signature Fender-style single coil tone without the 60-cycle hum
- Lightly potted to minimize squeal
- Made in the USA with premium quality materials
The retail price for a Bridge and Neck matching set is $340.00 and they’re available directly and exclusively through Belltone® Guitars / Brickhouse Toneworks at belltoneguitars.com.
Designed for players who demand flexibility without sacrificing tone, the Aquanaut fuses the rich warmth of classic analog delay with the extended range and clarity of modern digital designs. Featuring up to 600 milliseconds of delay time, the Aquanaut easily covers everything from tight slapback echoes to lush, ambient textures and rhythmic soundscapes – all with a simple, intuitive control layout.
Unlike many digital delays that can sound sterile and detached, the Aquanaut retains an organic, analog-inspired voice. Repeats are smooth and musical, gently fading into the mix to create depth and dimension without overwhelming your dry signal. Whether you’re chasing vintage tape echo, adding subtle space to your solos, or building massive atmospheric layers, the Aquanaut keeps your tone clear, present, and inspiring.
Berserker Electronics Aquanaut Delay/Echo
Key features include:
- Up to 600ms of delay time for expanded creative possibilities
- Analog-voiced digital architecture for warm, natural-sounding repeats
- Ambient-style echo that enhances, not distracts from, your core tone
- Simple, intuitive controls for delay time, feedback, and blend
The Aquanaut is available direct at www.berserkerpedals.com and Reverb at a $149 street price.