Capo on the 4th fret
With the capo on the 4th fret, everything sounds 2 whole steps higher than what you play: C sounds E, G sounds B, D sounds F♯, A sounds D♭, E sounds A♭, Am sounds C♯m, Em sounds G♯m, and Dm sounds F♯m.
Shapes and the chords they sound with the capo on the 4th fret
| You play | Sounds as |
|---|---|
| C | E |
| G | B |
| D | F♯ (G♭) |
| A | D♭ (C♯) |
| E | A♭ (G♯) |
| Am | C♯m (D♭m) |
| Em | G♯m (A♭m) |
| Dm | F♯m (G♭m) |
Progressions with the capo on the 4th fret
The I–V–vi–IV progression in each shape, and the key it sounds in with the capo on the 4th fret.
| Shapes | You play | Sounds in |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C G Am F | E B C♯m A |
| G major | G D Em C | B F♯ G♯m E |
| D major | D A Bm G | F♯ C♯ D♯m B |
| A major | A E F♯m D | D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭ |
| E major | E B C♯m A | A♭ E♭ Fm D♭ |
When to use the capo on the 4th fret
- Song in E major: play C major shapes.
- Song in B major: play G major shapes.
- Song in F sharp major: play D major shapes.
- Song in D flat major: play A major shapes.
- Song in A flat major: play E major shapes.
- Song in C sharp minor: play A minor shapes.
- Song in G sharp minor: play E minor shapes.
- Song in F sharp minor: play D minor shapes.
Other frets
Frequently asked questions
What key is it with the capo on the 4th fret?
Everything goes up 2 whole steps: C sounds E, G sounds B, D sounds F♯, A sounds D♭, E sounds A♭, Am sounds C♯m, Em sounds G♯m, and Dm sounds F♯m.
What chord does a G shape make with the capo on the 4th fret?
A G shape sounds as B. The whole G progression (G C D Em) sounds in B major.
What is the capo on the 4th fret for?
To play songs in E major, B major, F sharp major, D flat major, A flat major, C sharp minor, G sharp minor, and F sharp minor with open shapes, or to raise a song until it fits your voice without changing what you play.