Rob Swift calls this scale Box 4 ???
Rob Swift calling it ‘Box4’ is likely his way of thinking about them as a C-A-G-E-D sequence, so the E shape is denoted as Box 4. So he’s naming it from an arbitrary sequential spelling convention.
It is only spelt CAGED for ease of recall.
Musically, it is better seen as EDCAG, which reflects how the CAGED framework actually exists on the fretboard.
So E Shape = Pattern/Box 1;
D Shape = Pattern/Box 2 etc…
From memory, Justin has a great lesson somewhere, or part of a lesson, where he does a bit of of a deep dive into how CAGED actually arises on the fretboard. Very interesting, and I havent seen it explained anywhere else so well.
Cheers, Shane
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This is not true Shane. The CAGED System start with the C Major shape because it is the only Major scale shape you can play in open position.
Justin and other teachers teach the E minor shape because it is the easiest pattern for beginners to learn.
They also teach it as the A minor pentatonic scale because it on a easy spot on the neck to learn it.
Starting with the C shape in open position C major scale the next C is the A shape then the G shape then the E shape then the D shape.
That is how the neck of the guitar is laid out.
The E minor shaped minor pentatonic scale is called pattern 1 because it’s the first scale shape most people learn.
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That’s exactly how I’ve been learning it.
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Hmm. I cant say I currently see it in that way @stitch
Can you perhaps explain, or elaborate on the following? I dont understand what you’re saying here, and I can’t see the logic.
Also, does it not appear more logical that the system has its origin on the low E string, then cycles naturally through to DCAG , by, at the fundamental level, through connecting these octave shapes. Is this not how the fretboard/ tuning presents itself ?
Cheers, Shane
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Do you have a definitive source @stitch?
There’s a widely used convention that pattern 1 is the E-shape giving rise to the EDCAG variant of CAGED.
Justin has always worked from the basis that E-shape = pattern 1.
Many years ago he consciously decided to use the term pattern 1 not position 1 - because pattern is a shape made of notes on the fretboard and is movable whereas position suggests a fret number or span of frets.
…?
You can play any Major scale in the open position.
Hi David,
not from the point/eyes of CAGED
Greetings
I haven’t studied CAGED in any great detail.
Major scales played in the open position have different shapes and those shapes will fit one or another of the five CAGED patterns?
And now let’s hope that my translation in my head doesn’t go wrong due to the wrong choice of words 
… simplest way for me to say … E-shape cannot be played in the open position … you will then pick up other notes(edit: note(s) in another position) (also with the rest other than C-shape) that do not belong in the pattern of that shape…
You can play the scales of E with open strings and so on for the rest…
Greetings
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Ah, I see. I’ve had a look at the Major scale pattern diagrams and G and D, for instance, aren’t quite within a pattern. You have to move a note or two onto a different string - out of pattern.
What about F though?
F can be played wholly within pattern 1, the open strings replacing the notes which would normally be fretted with first finger higher up the neck.
Before we start confusing people…The F is not in the CAGED or played in minor Pattern 1 
Greetings
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Yeah, Justin says in the caged system lessons when discussing the e shape “this shape is sometimes also referred to as Position 1. Mainly (I guess) because it is the first shape that many people learn.”
Yes, but he could have chosen to teach the patterns in CAGED order like this using C as the root/tonic.
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The fact the the E pattern is designated as pattern 1 might be by some convention but it’s arbitrary. The order EDCAG is no more correct than CAGED
Pattern 1 is the easiest to use because you get two full octaves starting with the root note on the 6th string and under your second finger. You don’t have to start with it just because you named it pattern 1.
Also, it’s interesting to note that if you order the patterns as EDCAG and you name E as pattern 1, then you can’t play the E major scale starting on the lowest E with this pattern. You can, however, play the E major chord. Maybe this is what Stitch was referring to.
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Ah so there is more than one way to think about scales 
Let’s get some things straight. Justin did not invent the CAGED System. The CAGED System is how a guitar neck is laid out and was around before Justin was born.
Before the internet conventional teaching methods started with the Major scale first not the minor pentatonic pattern 1. Most lessons where based on piano theory and the C Major scale was King. It’s also the only Major scale using the CAGED System in open position. You cannot play any other scale Using the CAGED System in open position.
The only person I’ve known (in my 50 years of playing guitar) who uses the EDCAG is Richard @Richard_close2u.
All music is based of the major scale, only internet guitar teachers start with the minor pentatonic E shape first in the key of A. Why? Because its the easiest scale to learn.
I’ve always thought Calling the E shape pattern or position 1 was lazy. It already has a name. The E shape.
Only 50 year of playing music with some very experienced musicians not just Guitar Player.
Do you have any definitive sources for the E minor pentatonic being number1?
Othen than Justin Teaches it first and he even change what he called it over the years.
To be honest, I’ve seen CAGED presented as EDCAG from a variety of teachers.
Justin, or Richard, as good as they are, have not been my sole source of knowledge and learning.
Im not here to be right - and often there is no right, just perspective. Im just here to learn, and pass on when I feel I can, or should.
And I’m particularly here to absorb insight from experienced players, who I have the utmost respect for.
I’m not here to trash anyone else’s perspective. I have no right to, and it’s not how I roll.
I simply dont understand your logic @stitch, and if you’d be willing to share it I’d be grateful. I may very well learn something important, or gain some insight that’s very valuable.
For me, at present, EDCAG is the natural order of things, reflected by the fretboard. Starting from the E shape, root on the E string, the framework flows beatifully both down the strings, and across the fretboard, connected by the octave shapes.
The fact that the E shape is also the ‘easiest’ pentatonic, does not preclude it from being the logical ‘start’ of the framework in relation to the top level Major scale.
So whatever key you’re in, whatever chord you start on, wherever you are on the fretboard, the system is consistent and logical.
The fact that CAGED was seen to originate with the open chords at fret 0, and the C shape may be the only true ‘open CAGED scale’ form, is as much a matter of physics as it is music. The fretboard has to start and end somewhere, but musically its an endless loop; like a conveyor belt.
And for me, you ‘jump’ on that loop on the low E string, anywhere on the fretboard, and the framework unfolds beautifully.
I just cannot see or envision how the C shape can be the ‘entrance’ into this system.
Cheers, Shane
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I started to explain the logics of this but it was taking to long and this thread is on the minor pentatonic scale pattern 1 not why Rob Swift calls it pattern 4 and Justin calls it pattern 1.
If you want to continue this discussion PM me and I’ll gladly try and explain the logic behind spelling CAGED in this order.