How to Transpose Using a Capo

Clamping a capo on the guitar neck changes the key.

It often is desirable to transpose a song to a different key. This generally is done to allow for a particular singer's preferred vocal range or to accommodate another instrument's range or preferred arrangement. The capo is a simple device that allows easy transposition on a guitar. By strapping or clamping it across the neck at different frets, it allows chords that use the open strings to be played in a different key.

Instructions

1. Decide the appropriate key and the relationship of that key to the current guitar arrangement. For example, if a singer wants to play the song in E, and the arrangement is in C with the open C, F and G chords, then the arrangement needs to be moved up two whole tones. On the guitar, each fret is a half tone, so that would be four frets.

2. Count up to the fourth fret on the guitar. Secure the capo at the fourth fret.

3. Play the song using the C, F and G chord shapes, as though the capo was now the nut, which is the bar at the headstock where the strings normally end without the capo.

References

• Cyberfret: Using a Guitar Capo
• Cyberfret: Transposition Chart