Capo on the 6th fret
With the capo on the 6th fret, everything sounds 3 whole steps higher than what you play: C sounds F♯, G sounds D♭, D sounds A♭, A sounds E♭, E sounds B♭, Am sounds D♯m, Em sounds B♭m, and Dm sounds G♯m.
Shapes and the chords they sound with the capo on the 6th fret
| You play | Sounds as |
|---|---|
| C | F♯ (G♭) |
| G | D♭ (C♯) |
| D | A♭ (G♯) |
| A | E♭ (D♯) |
| E | B♭ (A♯) |
| Am | D♯m (E♭m) |
| Em | B♭m (A♯m) |
| Dm | G♯m (A♭m) |
Progressions with the capo on the 6th fret
The I–V–vi–IV progression in each shape, and the key it sounds in with the capo on the 6th fret.
| Shapes | You play | Sounds in |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C G Am F | F♯ C♯ D♯m B |
| G major | G D Em C | D♭ A♭ B♭m G♭ |
| D major | D A Bm G | A♭ E♭ Fm D♭ |
| A major | A E F♯m D | E♭ B♭ Cm A♭ |
| E major | E B C♯m A | B♭ F Gm E♭ |
When to use the capo on the 6th fret
- Song in F sharp major: play C major shapes.
- Song in D flat major: play G major shapes.
- Song in A flat major: play D major shapes.
- Song in E flat major: play A major shapes.
- Song in B flat major: play E major shapes.
- Song in D sharp minor: play A minor shapes.
- Song in B flat minor: play E minor shapes.
- Song in G sharp minor: play D minor shapes.
Other frets
Frequently asked questions
What key is it with the capo on the 6th fret?
Everything goes up 3 whole steps: C sounds F♯, G sounds D♭, D sounds A♭, A sounds E♭, E sounds B♭, Am sounds D♯m, Em sounds B♭m, and Dm sounds G♯m.
What chord does a G shape make with the capo on the 6th fret?
A G shape sounds as D♭. The whole G progression (G C D Em) sounds in D flat major.
What is the capo on the 6th fret for?
To play songs in F sharp major, D flat major, A flat major, E flat major, B flat major, D sharp minor, B flat minor, and G sharp minor with open shapes, or to raise a song until it fits your voice without changing what you play.