Fingerstyle Blues Improv: #1 Ironweed Rag and the CAGED System

This free video guitar lesson series by Pete Madsen shows you how to create verse variations and to improvise in fingerstyle blues.

About this Guitar Lesson

In this video guitar lesson, Pete plays an original song called “The Ironweed Rag,” which uses an alternating bass pattern and CAGED system chord inversions to produce verse variations. CAGED system explained with examples of C major and A major chords moved up the guitar neck. Pete then plays two verses of Ironweed Rag, explaining the chord shapes.

About Pete Madsen

Pete is a San Francisco Bay Area-based musician who performs regularly at establishments such as the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA. In addition to performing and composing, Pete is a well respected teacher and writer. Pete has contributed many lessons, reviews and feature articles for magazines, and he also has published instructional books. Visit Pete’s website to learn more.