Transposing?

Using the transpose feature gives you an alternative(different) way to play a particular song. Example;
an E to D progression  up 3 semitones becomes a G to F  progression

You'll want to either Capo a higher fret OR play a higher chord progression. If you transpose up 3 semitones AND capo the 3rd fret, you'll be 6 semitones higher than the original version.  This might be too much of an increase. If you do one or the other, you'll be playing 3 semitones higher.

OK ?

Anastasiak112, when you use the transposing function with Chordie you will still play in open chords. If a song is in the key of E and you wanted to change the key to G you would simply transpose up 3 semi-tones and play an open G chord.. Now, with a capo. if a song is in the key of E and you wanted the key to be in G you have a couple of choices.

Choice #1 - place you capo on the 3rd fret and then make a E chord. This voicing will be in the key of G.  In a 1 - 4 - 5 chord progression with the key of the song being in E the open chords would be E - A and B7.  Now, with your capo on the 3rd fret when you finger an E chord the voicing will be in G, an A chord will have the voice of C and a B7 chord will have a voice of a D7 chord.

Choice #2 - (hard) use your index finger to form a barre at the 3rd fret. With your middle , ring and pinky fingers form a open E chord. This will be you G voicing. Now while leaving your index finger barring the strings at the 3rd fret, take your ring finger and form another barre on the 5th fret strings 4, 3 and 2. This is a double barre and the voicing is in A. By sliding both your index finger and ring finger down 2 frets this double barre becomes a B chord.

Npw I know this will be hard for you to understand as it was hard for me to explain it. I found a good capo chart on the internet awhile back and I will try to locate that site for you. It is simple to read and it will tell you what you are asking.
Hope this helps.

Nela

Simply put:

If you want to move the whole thing up 3 semi-tones just put your capo on the 3rd fret and play the same chords as shown without using the transpose tool.

Also, if you find a song where the chords look too dificult to play for your present ability, transpose it DOWN until you have chords you are comfortable with and then put the capo on the corresponding fret. E.g. If you transpose down 3 semi-tones then place the capo on 3rd fret and it will still be in the original key.

Don't think in terms of chords, think in terms of chord shapes.

Cappo anywhere, and play the same chord shapes you normally would at the open position.

Okay, I finally got it!

Southpaw, Jerome, alvee... and NELA.. BIG THANKS!!!

NELA: You say it was hard to explain, but rest assured that your hard work paid off. I get it.

My confusion was cleared by your explanation on the chord shape with a capo producing a different voicing.  I was thinking that if an E shape is producing a G sound, how can I call it an E?  See what I mean?   I look forward to seeing this chart... I think it will further clear up my muddled mind!

I have no musical theory background, so I'm learning all of this thanks to all the great teachers here!

anastasia

anastasia,

Here's some general CAPO information for your reading pleasure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capo