Capo reference

A capo transposes the guitar without changing its intervals. These pages give the arithmetic in both directions: the shape key for every capo position and target key, and the sounding chords that come out of the shapes you already know.

Using the reference

• Capo chart — the full matrix: 12 capo positions against 12 major and 12 minor target keys.
• Each fret page lists the shape key for all twelve major keys, all twelve minor keys, and the chords produced by the four common open progressions.
• Capo positions are given in semitones and frets; a capo at fret 12 is an octave and repeats position 0.
• The chart assumes a capo across all six strings. Partial capos produce their own tunings and are not transpositions of the open shapes.

Related reference pages

• IntervalsIntervalsthe semitone distances a capo adds
• KeysKey signatureswhich accidentals each target key carries
• CircleCircle of fifthshow the keys relate to one another
• NumbersNashville number systemthe other way of naming the same chords
• TuningsTuningsthe alternative to a capo

Related

• CapoCapo chart12 capo positions × 24 target keys
• CapoCapo at fret 11 semitone above the open strings
• CapoCapo at fret 22 semitones above the open strings
• CapoCapo at fret 55 semitones above the open strings
• ReferenceKey signatures15 major keys, 15 minor keys
• HubTunings19 tunings
• CapoCapo at fret 1010 semitones above the open strings
• CapoCapo at fret 1111 semitones above the open strings

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Section: Capo · Theory Atlas