Capo on the 1st fret
With the capo on the 1st fret, everything sounds a half step higher than what you play: C sounds D♭, G sounds A♭, D sounds E♭, A sounds B♭, E sounds F, Am sounds B♭m, Em sounds Fm, and Dm sounds D♯m.
Shapes and the chords they sound with the capo on the 1st fret
| You play | Sounds as |
|---|---|
| C | D♭ (C♯) |
| G | A♭ (G♯) |
| D | E♭ (D♯) |
| A | B♭ (A♯) |
| E | F |
| Am | B♭m (A♯m) |
| Em | Fm |
| Dm | D♯m (E♭m) |
Progressions with the capo on the 1st fret
The I–V–vi–IV progression in each shape, and the key it sounds in with the capo on the 1st fret.
| Shapes | You play | Sounds in |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C G Am F | D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭ |
| G major | G D Em C | A♭ E♭ Fm D♭ |
| D major | D A Bm G | E♭ B♭ Cm A♭ |
| A major | A E F♯m D | B♭ F Gm E♭ |
| E major | E B C♯m A | F C Dm B♭ |
When to use the capo on the 1st fret
- Song in D flat major: play C major shapes.
- Song in A flat major: play G major shapes.
- Song in E flat major: play D major shapes.
- Song in B flat major: play A major shapes.
- Song in F major: play E major shapes.
- Song in B flat minor: play A minor shapes.
- Song in F minor: play E minor shapes.
- Song in D sharp minor: play D minor shapes.
Other frets
Frequently asked questions
What key is it with the capo on the 1st fret?
Everything goes up a half step: C sounds D♭, G sounds A♭, D sounds E♭, A sounds B♭, E sounds F, Am sounds B♭m, Em sounds Fm, and Dm sounds D♯m.
What chord does a G shape make with the capo on the 1st fret?
A G shape sounds as A♭. The whole G progression (G C D Em) sounds in A flat major.
What is the capo on the 1st fret for?
To play songs in D flat major, A flat major, E flat major, B flat major, F major, B flat minor, F minor, and D sharp minor with open shapes, or to raise a song until it fits your voice without changing what you play.