Using a capo

Could someone help me understand how to transpose the chords used in a song if you add a capo? For example if a given song has a capo on the 2nd fret and is g, c, d. What chords would I play if i remove the capo or move it?Thank you for any help.

Think of the capo as a movable nut. If, without a capo, you play a G chord on the second and third frets, then with a capo you play the same shape on the second and third frets down from the capo.

So, if the capo is on the second fret, and you remove it, play the same shapes you were playing two frets toward the headstock.

The more experienced guys here can probably tell you more ways to use a capo too.

GG

Thank you GG. Let me try to ask a different way. If i am playing with a capo on the 3rd fret what chords would i play if i removed the capo? I have seen several songs that are tabbed out that say capo 3- g,c,d. no capo- e,a,b. This is just an example, but i wish i could understand how to do it.

Originally Posted by: dp109Could someone help me understand how to transpose the chords used in a song if you add a capo? For example if a given song has a capo on the 2nd fret and is g, c, d. What chords would I play if i remove the capo or move it?Thank you for any help.

In this instance, you would be playing A, D, and E. You must first have an understanding of working with half steps and whole steps. A half step is one fret, and a whole step is two frets. In your situation, you are moving the tuning of your guitar up one whole step (2 frets.) Here is a tool to help with this idea:

Here are all 12 notes in music:
A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab

Each move to the right or left is a half step; move two notes, that's a whole step. When using your capo, use this to tell you what chords you are playing. Again, with G, C, and D; you are moving the capo up a whole step (2 frets.) Now, go to each of these chords in this sequence, and move over two notes to the right. You will end up at A, D, and E.

So, let me ask you this; what would the chords be if you moved it up to the 4th fret? Try applying it with this idea and than get back with me.