Transpose to a different key

[robodell]

Hello,

I'm trying to learn a song at the moment. I have the chord sequence in Am but want to play it in Gm. Please can someone tell me how to find the right chord sequence.
In Am, the verse goes Am, Dm, C, F, E, Am and the bridge goes F, C, E, F, C, E, Am.
If I want to start the song with a Gm chord how should the verse and bridge progress.

Thanks folks

[Sheryl McDonald]

Just drop all your chords down by one step:

In Am, the verse goes Am, Dm, C, F, E, Am
Gm, Cm, Bb, Eb, D, Gm

and the bridge goes F, C, E, F, C, E, Am.
Eb, Bb, D, Eb, Bb, D, Gm

[s1m0n]

Just drop all your chords down by one step:

In Am, the verse goes Am, Dm, C, F, E, Am
[to] Gm, Cm, Bb, Eb, D, Gm

and the bridge goes F, C, E, F, C, E, Am.
[to] Eb, Bb, D, Eb, Bb, D, Gm

Cheryl has it right. Do you follow how she got there, or do you need more explanation?

[EdHanrahan]

Note that in music lingo, "one step" translates to "2 frets". G is two frets lower than A, thus all notes of the Am chord (they don't need to be in the same sequence) are moved 2 frets / one step lower to sound as Gm. All following chords move downward in like manner.

And moving a single fret is called, yes, a half-step.

[Jim Broyles]

Easy transposer:

A B C D E F G
B C D E F G A
C D E F G A B
D E F G A B C
E F G A B C D
F G A B C D E
G A B C D E F


Find original key's letter in top line, read vertically to the new key's letter, use the row in which the new key's letter is found, insert the relevant type of chord and you have the new key's chords.
This is not comprehensive. For Flat and sharp keys, further knowledge of scale harmony is useful. For example, if you start in C and the song has a Bb in it, you don't make the F into an Fb to transpose to G. This chart works for a lot of chords and you may find it helpful.

[robodell]

Cheryl has it right. Do you follow how she got there, or do you need more explanation?

No. That makes perfect sense thank you.

[s1m0n]

Good.

[bradlaird]

Hi robodell,

You are getting some good responses here I see.

Here is my own explanation: http://www.bradleylaird.com/survival/41-transpose.html

That is the quick version of the more complete explanations found in my book Mandolin Master Class and Mandolin Training Camp.

There is also some information on transposition here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/playthem...lesson-13.html in my free mandolin lessons site.

[Timbofood]

Jim, I LOVE the "transposers gazinta" table! The genius is in its simplicity.
Now, I need a cocktail.

[9lbShellhamer]

The only chart you need to transpose every song for the rest of your life.

[David L]

The only chart you need to transpose every song for the rest of your life.

Unless you play songs with non-diatonic chords.

[keithb]

I used to see these around as a kid: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Transpo...dp/B00D3LDBOU/

[Mark Gunter]

The only chart you need to transpose every song for the rest of your life.

And so long as you always play in a key that is neither sharp nor flat.

[mobi]

MuseScore (or similar tools) can transpose on any key specified by you.

[Phil Goodson]

If you understand the principles and can add up to 7+7, you never need a chart.

[Mark Wilson]

And so long as you always play in a key that is neither sharp nor flat.

[Mark Gunter]

Mark Wilson

Just to clarify though, my comment was a tongue-in-cheek jab at 9lbShellhamer who posted a chart as "The only chart you need to transpose every song for the rest of your life."

There's been a lot of good charts posted here. I do use the circle of fifths and all kinds of charts sometimes with scale patterns, arpeggios, etc. but as Philphool has suggested, I typically make my own mandolin charts for scale patterns and such because I like my charts better than what I usually find on the web. Not so for guitar, there are tons of good reference materials.

FWIW, I think charts and "study aids" are great, even if you know the principles and can add 7 + 7 . . . that just means you can make your own charts

One of my favorite exercises is a pastime I use when stuck waiting somewhere, which is to write out scales from scratch. It helps to cement the 4th and 5th degrees relative to each scale, as well as the 6th (rel minor) into my brain when I do that. I need all the help I can get.

[Mark Wilson]

yep. I keep a couple of blank fretboard printouts and sit in the back of halfday meetings writing scales and locating double stops etc. Keeps me awake so I don't miss the 1 or 2 things worth hearing.