capo_chord_chart.pdf | |
File Size: | 35 kb |
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So you've got yourself a capo. Now what? A capo is a very beneficial tool for all levels of guitarists, but only if you know how to use it. It's not as confusing as it may seem and though the chart is provided for you above, you may not need it after a quick tutorial on how the capo works.
The capo works by shortening the scale length of the guitar and essentially becoming a new nut. Therefore the open chord shapes that you are familiar with in the first position (C, G, D, etc..) can be played higher up the neck. As you move the capo up the neck these chord shapes become new chords (based on the notes being played in the chord by the position of the capo). So an open C chord shape played with a capo on the 2nd fret is now a D chord.
The order of chords and keys with the capo is not a random order or a surprise. It follows the chromatic scale. The chromatic scale is a series of 12 notes that encompass every note that you will EVER play.
The Chromatic Scale is:
E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C# D, D#... after D# it repeats back to E in an unending pattern.
If you memorize the chromatic scale you will be able to use your capo freely on the guitar without having to use a capo chord chart. It's easy to memorize. I start it on E, but it can begin on any note. From the first note you proceed alphabetically through the music alphabet (A-G) until you arrive back at that note. Every note except for E and B has a sharp that follows it. Take a few minutes and memorize this pattern. Not only will it help you with the cut capo chord chart, but with memorizing notes and patterns on the fretboard. IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
So ironically, I provide this page as a resource for giving you a capo chord chart but hope that you will learn to not use it.
As a helpful tool, I have included the chart below. For most modern music (country, rock, blues, church music..) songs will follow 4 basic chords in each key. The "Key" is also the "I Chord" in the chart below. So for the key of C, there's a good chance that you'll be playing C, F, G, and Am. There may be additional chords or variations of these chords, but these four chords (in whichever key you choose) form the building block for most popular songs of the last 50 years.
** NOTE: With both charts and the chromatic scale above I have notated the accidentals as sharps (#). These can also be notated as flats. Just proceed to the next note and add a flat sign. C# = Db, F# = Gb, etc. These are called enharmonics: one note with two different names. **
The capo works by shortening the scale length of the guitar and essentially becoming a new nut. Therefore the open chord shapes that you are familiar with in the first position (C, G, D, etc..) can be played higher up the neck. As you move the capo up the neck these chord shapes become new chords (based on the notes being played in the chord by the position of the capo). So an open C chord shape played with a capo on the 2nd fret is now a D chord.
The order of chords and keys with the capo is not a random order or a surprise. It follows the chromatic scale. The chromatic scale is a series of 12 notes that encompass every note that you will EVER play.
The Chromatic Scale is:
E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C# D, D#... after D# it repeats back to E in an unending pattern.
If you memorize the chromatic scale you will be able to use your capo freely on the guitar without having to use a capo chord chart. It's easy to memorize. I start it on E, but it can begin on any note. From the first note you proceed alphabetically through the music alphabet (A-G) until you arrive back at that note. Every note except for E and B has a sharp that follows it. Take a few minutes and memorize this pattern. Not only will it help you with the cut capo chord chart, but with memorizing notes and patterns on the fretboard. IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
So ironically, I provide this page as a resource for giving you a capo chord chart but hope that you will learn to not use it.
As a helpful tool, I have included the chart below. For most modern music (country, rock, blues, church music..) songs will follow 4 basic chords in each key. The "Key" is also the "I Chord" in the chart below. So for the key of C, there's a good chance that you'll be playing C, F, G, and Am. There may be additional chords or variations of these chords, but these four chords (in whichever key you choose) form the building block for most popular songs of the last 50 years.
** NOTE: With both charts and the chromatic scale above I have notated the accidentals as sharps (#). These can also be notated as flats. Just proceed to the next note and add a flat sign. C# = Db, F# = Gb, etc. These are called enharmonics: one note with two different names. **
chords_by_key.pdf | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
File Type: |