Click on any section:

• How to use your capo or transpose button

• Transposing crammed into an easy chart

• I must remind myself not to forget to remember…



How to use your capo or transpose button ............................ top

Changing your favourite songs into easier chords is just like
painting by numbers!

All you need are the chords and words. (as long as you know the tune)

The music for your favourite song is probably written in the key the artist sings on their CD.

Trouble is if they have a different voice to yours, their key might be too high or too low for you to sing comfortably. And the chords might be a bit harder.

To play in easier keys your guitar or bass will need a
a. crepe b. cape barren goose c. capo

If you have a bass, take it to the local guitar shop and see what works best. Or if you're comfortable with the chord numbers in D and G, you can even transpose without a capo on the bass, by counting up to where the capo would go and pretending that’s really D or G!
But it’s probably easier just to whack on a capo.

On the keyboard it’s usually called a
a. transfiguration b. transport company c. transpose button

It does the same thing as a capo – even more, because it’ll also let you transpose both higher or lower without even changing the chords!

Sometimes the transpose button is called a capo,
because it works pretty much the same for keyboard, guitar, and bass!

Transpose buttons work different ways on different keyboards.
On some keyboards you’ll need to select transpose,
then press an up/down button for each semitone you want to transpose.

Other keyboards need that number typed in on a keypad.

And on others you need to play the note which is that many
semi-tones away from your control note. (eg middle C)

If you don’t have a manual to check, try these three methods for starters, and keep a written note when you do work it out.

To save you time, we’ve already worked out the capo you’ll need to change from any key at all into the easier keys of D or G.

Don’t forget to “un-capo” as soon as you’ve finished playing the song and recheck your tuning right then! (for guitar and bass)



Transposing crammed into an easy chart .............................. top

And now here’s the full easy-transposing chart for you.

It’s packed with more information than you’ll probably ever want to
know about transposing.

So don’t worry about every single bit at the moment.

Just enjoy the fact that the keys are already worked out for you!

Play the songs you want - easier and quicker in D and G!!

! if you play this low, make sure you can reach all the notes

Suppose you have a copy of Amazing Grace, but it's in the key of A.
Instead of having to learn a whole bunch of new and difficult chords...
Just use the chart above to play in an easier key (D or G).

And all the keys and capo positions are already worked out for you!

So to play Amazing Grace in A (line 1, column 8)
You'll need to change the chords to G (line 2, column 8)
Then play with your capo on fret 2 (line 3, column 8)

Now you'll be playing the same pitch as A, but using easier chords!

Or if it's a bit high to sing in A, try playing it in G, without a capo.
(as long as anyone else playing along can do the same thing)

Don't get scared by the chart below - remember it's packed with lots more really useful stuff not covered in this FREE lesson. We just need a bit of it.

Now mouse over (or click) the G line of the chart below so it's highlighted,
(on the left in the major keys section, fifth from the bottom)
And see which chords line up in all the columns on the A line below.
(on the left in the major keys section, third from the bottom)

A lines up with the highlighted G in the same column two rows above.

And E just across on that same A line, lines up with the highlighted D, etc etc

How easy is that?!

The chords are already worked out for you.

Just follow the columns from the key the song is in, to the one you want!

But remind yourself what not to forget to remember, in the next section.
(especially leaving minors as minors if that's what they are in your song)





Here's an Amazing Grace I prepared earlier so to speak, to give you an idea.

AMAZING GRACE (John Newton 1725-1807, Public Domain)

G G C G
A A D A
A-mazing grace how sweet the sound

Em A Am D
F#m B Bm E
That saved a wretch like me

G G C G
A A D A
I once was lost but now am found

EmD C G
F#m E D A
Was blind but now I see


This easy transposing chart will help you play your favourite songs in the easier keys of D and G.

Click here for your own copy to keep in your song book or guitar case,
so it’s ready to roll when you need it.

But don’t forget to remind yourself about the bits to make sure you don’t forget to remember…



I must remind myself not to forget to remember .................. top

Songs often start or finish on the root key, but watch out for any weak beat.

Scrub any chord with dim, aug, o, + and keep playing the chord before it.

Sleepover chords may mean you’ll need to change some sharps or flats.

Always leave majors as majors, always leave minors as minors.

If all else fails try a skeleton chord (I, IV, V)

Slowly tap through the rhythm before adding the chords.

Play confidently like you'd been doing it for years.

Click here to order CD 1, with lots more practical stuff on transposing.

Now you can play songs in easier keys, how about adding drum fills...

Click here for a FREE lesson on drum fills .............................. top