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Progression lesson

C G Am F triad lesson for connected CAGED shapes.

Use the classic C G Am F pop loop to practice moving through nearby triads instead of jumping back to the same chord shapes.

C G Am F triad lesson shown as a Guitar Triad Trainer lesson card.
C -> G -> Am -> F is the lesson loop. Keep the full progression visible and move through nearby triad shapes.
Progression C -> G -> Am -> F
Roman numerals I V vi IV
Starting tempo 96 BPM

The loop

Step 1 C Step 2 G Step 3 Am Step 4 F

Six patterns

Play this progression three ways on G-B-E and three ways on D-G-B.

Each route starts from a different inversion, then follows the closest connected triad shapes through the same progression.

G-B-E patterns

G-B-E

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. C G5 R | B5 3 | E3 5 root
  2. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  3. Am G5 3 | B5 5 | E5 R 1st inv.
  4. F G5 5 | B6 R | E5 3 2nd inv.
G-B-E

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. C G9 3 | B8 5 | E8 R 1st inv.
  2. G G7 5 | B8 R | E7 3 2nd inv.
  3. Am G9 5 | B10 R | E8 3 2nd inv.
  4. F G10 R | B10 3 | E8 5 root
G-B-E

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. C G0 5 | B1 R | E0 3 2nd inv.
  2. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  3. Am G2 R | B1 3 | E0 5 root
  4. F G2 3 | B1 5 | E1 R 1st inv.

D-G-B patterns

D-G-B

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. C D10 R | G9 3 | B8 5 root
  2. G D9 3 | G7 5 | B8 R 1st inv.
  3. Am D10 3 | G9 5 | B10 R 1st inv.
  4. F D10 5 | G10 R | B10 3 2nd inv.
D-G-B

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. C D2 3 | G0 5 | B1 R 1st inv.
  2. G D0 5 | G0 R | B0 3 2nd inv.
  3. Am D2 5 | G2 R | B1 3 2nd inv.
  4. F D3 R | G2 3 | B1 5 root
D-G-B

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. C D5 5 | G5 R | B5 3 2nd inv.
  2. G D5 R | G4 3 | B3 5 root
  3. Am D7 R | G5 3 | B5 5 root
  4. F D7 3 | G5 5 | B6 R 1st inv.

Why this progression works

C gives you the home base, G pulls the line upward, Am adds the emotional turn, and F softens the loop before it returns. That makes it a perfect first lesson for hearing how small triad moves can make a familiar progression feel connected.

What to practice

Keep the hand in one fret area and make each chord change with the smallest clean movement you can find.

  1. Start on strings 3-2-1 with a comfortable C triad.
  2. Move to the closest G shape, even if it is not root position.
  3. Let Am share as much fretboard space with G as possible.
  4. Resolve to F without sliding farther than the music needs.

Workout settings

  • Strings: 3-2-1 first, then 4-3-2
  • Tempo: 80 to 96 BPM
  • Goal: hear the pop loop while your hand stays close
Full progression strip in Guitar Triad Trainer.
The full loop stays visible while current and next shapes are highlighted.
Nearest triad shape on the Guitar Triad Trainer fretboard.
Nearest-shape practice keeps the movement musical and playable.

Good search intents for this lesson

  • C G Am F guitar
  • I V vi IV guitar
  • guitar triads
  • CAGED triads

Practice C -> G -> Am -> F in time.

Guitar Triad Trainer keeps the progression visible, highlights the current and next moves, and helps you choose connected CAGED shapes.

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More progression lessons

C Am F G triad lesson Am F C G triad lesson Dm G C triad lesson Connect progressions All practice guides