Capo at fret 3
With the capo at fret 3, every open shape sounds 3 semitones higher than it would without a capo. The shape key for any target key is the target key 3 semitones lower.
- Capo position
- fret 3
- Transposition
- 3 semitones up. A shape played as written sounds 3 semitones higher.
- Shape key rule
- target key minus 3 semitones
- What the shape families sound as
- C → Eb · A → C · G → Bb · E → G · D → F
- First-position note
- The higher the capo, the shorter the vibrating length, so bends become harder and the sixth and fifth strings are easier to press.
Major keys
| Target key | Shapes to play | Notes of the shape key | Relative minor |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | A shapes | A B C# D E F# G# | A minor shapes in F# |
| C# | Bb (movable shapes) | Bb C D Eb F G A | Bb minor shapes in G |
| D | B (movable shapes) | B C# D# E F# G# A# | B minor shapes in Ab |
| Eb | C shapes | C D E F G A B | C minor shapes in A |
| E | C# (movable shapes) | C# D# E# F# G# A# B# | C# minor shapes in Bb |
| F | D shapes | D E F# G A B C# | D minor shapes in B |
| F# | Eb (movable shapes) | Eb F G Ab Bb C D | Eb minor shapes in C |
| G | E shapes | E F# G# A B C# D# | E minor shapes in C# |
| Ab | F (movable shapes) | F G A Bb C D E | F minor shapes in D |
| A | F# (movable shapes) | F# G# A# B C# D# E# | F# minor shapes in Eb |
| Bb | G shapes | G A B C D E F# | G minor shapes in E |
| B | Ab (movable shapes) | Ab Bb C Db Eb F G | Ab minor shapes in F |
Minor keys
| Target key | Shapes to play | Notes of the shape key |
|---|---|---|
| C minor | A minor shapes | A B C D E F G |
| C# minor | Bb minor (movable shapes) | Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab |
| D minor | B minor (movable shapes) | B C# D E F# G A |
| Eb minor | C minor shapes | C D Eb F G Ab Bb |
| E minor | C# minor (movable shapes) | C# D# E F# G# A B |
| F minor | D minor shapes | D E F G A Bb C |
| F# minor | Eb minor (movable shapes) | Eb F Gb Ab Bb Cb Db |
| G minor | E minor shapes | E F# G A B C D |
| Ab minor | F minor (movable shapes) | F G Ab Bb C Db Eb |
| A minor | F# minor (movable shapes) | F# G# A B C# D E |
| Bb minor | G minor shapes | G A Bb C D Eb F |
| B minor | Ab minor (movable shapes) | Ab Bb Cb Db Eb Fb Gb |
Common progressions at this position
The first, fourth, fifth and sixth chords of each open shape key, and the chords they sound as with the capo at fret 3.
| Shape key | Chord 1 sounds as | Chords 4, 5 and 6m sound as | Shapes played |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Eb | F, G, Am sound as Ab, Bb, Cm | shapes played: C, F, G, Am |
| A | C | D, E, F#m sound as F, G, Am | shapes played: A, D, E, F#m |
| G | Bb | C, D, Em sound as Eb, F, Gm | shapes played: G, C, D, Em |
| E | G | A, B, C#m sound as C, D, Em | shapes played: E, A, B, C#m |
| D | F | G, A, Bm sound as Bb, C, Dm | shapes played: D, G, A, Bm |
Related
- CapoCapo chart
- HubCapo reference
- ReferenceIntervals
- ReferenceKey signatures
- ReferenceNashville number system
- CapoCapo at fret 1
- CapoCapo at fret 10
- CapoCapo at fret 11