Which is Which?

[ColColt]

It really doesn't matter which key you choose, whatever key suits your voice - it doesn't change the song.

Changing the key-how is that done, with the capo? I'm just looking for a simple means to be able to play the 6, 8-10 songs he sings that I know the words to but not the chords he used or even if I should use those and not another "key". His voice and mine are not far off. I know C, C7, D, D7, G and G7 fairly well but those may not be the key I need...I don't know. Being a rank stranger to all this is a bit disconcerting in the beginning.

[jim1960]

I know in my own personal musical journey, when I started to understand theory, when I finally understood that chords related to each other in a formulaic way rather than just some haphazard combination some songwriter threw together, that's when it all started making sense to me. It was many years before that opportunity availed itself and I've no doubt that had someone explained some of it to me earlier, I'd have struggled less in the beginning to understand how music actually works.

Originally Posted by Fullbore

Jim1960, I certainly appreciated your input, as may have many others. Thanks!

Thanks Fullbore.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by ColColt

Changing the key-how is that done, with the capo?

Yes, with the capo. If you're playing the version with the G, C, and D7 chords without a capo, you're playing in the key of G (the I-IV-V in G are G-C-D) If you put the capo behind the first fret and play the same chord shapes, you've moved them all up a half step to Ab, Db, and Eb7 so you'll be playing in Ab. If you put the capo behind the 2nd fret, the same chords shapes will yield A, D, and E7. And it goes so on up the neck.

The capo allows you to transpose a song without having to learn to play it using different chord shapes.

[ColColt]

OK-If you have the capo on the first fret, do you still press the 2nd string on the first fret as in D7 or do you go to the 2nd fret since the capo is taking up a certain amount of space on the 1st fret? I have no idea how wide a capo is or if it hinders the usual placement of your fingers...hope that made sense

Totally new to this, Jim-hope you all bear with me.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by ColColt

OK-If you have the capo on the first fret, do you still press the 2nd string on the first fret as in D7 or do you go to the 2nd fret since the capo is taking up a certain amount of space on the 1st fret? I have no idea how wide a capo is or if it hinders the usual placement of your fingers...hope that made sense

Totally new to this, Jim-hope you all bear with me.

You pretend the capo is now the nut. So when you capo at the first fret, your fingers all move one fret to up the fretboard.
This video shows it and explains it...

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by ColColt

Changing the key-how is that done, with the capo? I'm just looking for a simple means to be able to play the 6, 8-10 songs he sings that I know the words to but not the chords he used or even if I should use those and not another "key". His voice and mine are not far off. I know C, C7, D, D7, G and G7 fairly well but those may not be the key I need...I don't know. Being a rank stranger to all this is a bit disconcerting in the beginning.

Back to your original question. you want to sing and play a very simple Hank song right?

You can play C,G, and D ... and what about the chords that go with them, i.e. for a three chord trick in C - you need F, and G right?
for a 3 chord trick in D , you need G and A right?
for a 3 chord trick in G you need G,C, and D.

If you REALLY can't play any chords but G,C, and D, try singing it in G.
If you can't put your capo on fret II, and play the same shapes in A,D, and E.

Put capo on IV and play the same shapes in B, E and F#
Put capo on V and play in C, F and G.

Why can't you play a first position i.e. at the nut, E,F, A, B, etc?

[Mandobart]

This is why it is helpful to know a little about music. If you can understand the numbering (I, IV, V, vi, etc.) you can transpose any song to any key.

[Mandobart]

Originally Posted by ColColt

Changing the key-how is that done, with the capo? I'm just looking for a simple means to be able to play the 6, 8-10 songs he sings that I know the words to but not the chords he used or even if I should use those and not another "key". His voice and mine are not far off. I know C, C7, D, D7, G and G7 fairly well but those may not be the key I need...I don't know. Being a rank stranger to all this is a bit disconcerting in the beginning.

So you know the chords for key of G.
G = I
C = IV
D = V

So when RP posted this:

[A7] Today I [D] passed you [A7] on the [D] street
[D7] And my [G] heart fell at your [D] feet
I Can't [A7] Help It If I'm Still In Love With [D] You
[A7] Somebody [D] else stood [A7] by your [D] side
[D7] And he [G] looked so satis-[D] fied
I Can't [A7] Help It If I'm Still In Love With [D] You. ... [D7]

A [G] picture from the past came slowly [D] stealing
As I [A7] brushed your arm and walked so close to [D] you ... [D7]
Then [G] suddenly I got that old time [D] feeling
I Can't [A] Help It If I'm Still In Love With [D] You

He's showing it in the key of D.
D = I
G = IV
A = V

So to transpose this to the one key you know so far, everywhere he plays A you play D. Where he shows D you play G. Where he shows G you play C. The V, I, IV remain the same; their relationship makes up the chord progression.