Shapes on the Whole Fretboard

This lesson merges the positions, and shows how each individual chord in a key can be played in all positions. Notice how every chord follows the same order of shapes up and down the neck (C-A-G-E-D-C-...).

The diagrams are shown in C major by default. Change the key here:

The I chord

The ii chord

The iii chord

The IV chord

The V chord

The vi chord

The vii° chord

The V7 chord

Study and practice

As described in The Right Way to Learn Guitar, start these in learning time (perfect and slow), then move to play time (musical and in tempo).

Practice one chord in all five positions

Press play on each diagram above and play along, sounding the chord in each position as the highlight reaches it: up through the five positions, then back down to home. One chord through five positions is the exact inverse of the position lessons' seven chords in one position; together the two drills weave the grid tight.

Play a progression in all positions

Pick a short progression (e.g. I-IV-V-I, or descending fifths) and play it once in each position, from the position furthest back on the neck to the one furthest ahead. Every change stays inside one position; only the position moves.