How to Transpose Using a Capo

The Capo works exactly like a barre chord in that the capo is essentially a permanent barre chord. This allows for chords to be played as open chords that normally would have to be played as barre chords. When we place the capo on a particular fret, it allows us to access different open chords.

In the table below, we can see the left column indicates the fret where the capo is placed. Each shape of the CAGED system has its own column to indicate the new chord created when that shape is played with the capo placed on each fret.

For example, a C shape played with a capo on the 3rd fret would become an Eb chord. A G shape with a capo on the 5th fret would become a C chord. An E shape with a capo on the 4th fret would become a G#/Ab chord.