The actual CAGED system may just be a bit older than those books, for example, I first heard of it via Tal Farlow, who called it, "Scaling from Chord Patterns" as an example of how he solo'd in jazz. Then I became aware of quite a few guitarists "back in the day" who thought in that fashion, "CAGED". I think that it is important to emphasize that this system is just another way of thinking about the same things and that there are also other approaches.

Anyway, it was the beginning for me of identifying exactly the scale steps involved in each and every chord pattern played and then working out the fingering for the missing scales steps in between. As it turned out, it was perhaps not the shortcut that it lookied to be, *grin* but it most certainly was a great tool in the eventual total mapping of the neck for me.

As with so many things musical, this one is a matter of perception. If the CAGED system helps you to perceive the thing more easily, that's good, man.


--Mac