Skip to content
The Jewish Chords
  • Home
  • All Chords
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Order
  • Contact Us
  • Donate

Transposition Guide

How to Transpose

If the key of the song is in a key that is hard for you to sing, you may want to transpose, that is, convert the chords into a different key.

Use this transposition guide (TG) to help you transpose:

Am = Em

C  = G

Dm = Am

Em = Bm

F  = C

G  = D

Another part of transposing is using the capo:

  1. Move the capo to a higher fret for a higher key.
  2. Move the capo to a lower fret for a lower key.

Here is the order of the keys (OoK), starting with Am:

Minor Keys:AmBbmBmCmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAm
Major Keys:CDbDEbEFGbGAbABbBC

(b = flat = -1; # = sharp = +1)

Each minor key has a corresponding major key, or relative major key, listed directly below it. The relative keys use the same chords but are centered around a different main chord, or root chord. So, for example, Bm is the relative minor of D major.

Here is an example to help you transpose better:

Let’s say you have a pretty high voice range. The chords are in Em with the capo on the third fret, but you think you’ll enjoy it better if it’s a few keys higher.

Refer to OoK simplify: Em + [capo on third fret] = Gm

Consider transposing up to Am or Bm. To do this, refer to TG:

Every time there is an Em in the song, change it to Am.

Every time there is a G, change it to C.

Every time there is a Am, change it to Dm.

And so on…

Now the song is in Am, which is two keys higher than you started.

If that’s not high enough, use the capo. For every fret you put the capo on, you have raised the song by one key.

On a keyboard, use the transpose function (+ or -).

Every fret higher that the capo is on equals one transposition on a keyboard.

Example: Capo on third fret = +3 transpose on a keyboard.

Note: The songs on this website are based on an adult voice range. To adapt for younger singers, try transposing three to five keys lower.

RSS Recent Updates

  • How it all began… 7th November 2019
  • Elul Updates 8th September 2019

New Song Poll

Song poll is on break.

Recently Added
Gam Ki Elech-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song #36)
Vsiten-Mordechai Shapiro (Winning Song #35)
Ki Ata Imadi-Uzi Bodner
Country Boy-Abie Rotenberg (Winning Song #34)
Hayom-Mordechai Shapiro (Winning Song #33)
Ledavid-Yaakov Shwekey (Winning Song #32)
Joe Dimaggio's Card-Abie Rotenberg (Winning Song #31)
Achat Uletamid-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song #30)
Just Like You-8th Day (Winning Song #28)
My Dear Rebbe-Benny Friedman
Just Love Them-Joey Newcomb
Vezakeini (Bonei Olam)-Benny Friedman and Baruch Levine
Keter Melucha-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song #28)
Kol Hakavod-Simcha Leiner (Winning Song #27)
Hakol Mishamayim-Mordechai Shapiro (Winning Song #26)
Hamalach-Abie Rotenberg
Nekadeish-Miami Boys Choir
Kishoshana-Abie Rotenberg
Just One Shabbos-MBD (Winning Song #25)
Mama Rochel-Abie Rotenberg
Lecha Dodi-Baruch Levine (Winning Song #23)
Rabbos-Abie Rotenberg and Shlomo Simcha
Hiney Ma Tov-Shalsheles
Mimkomcha (Chazzanus)
Kol Dodi-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song #22)
Livchor Nachon-Amir Dadon (Winning Song #21)
Limaan Achai-Shlomo Carlebach
Olatz-Shalsheles
Shema-Yaakov Shwekey (Winning Song #20)
All From Above (Winning Song #19)
Deaf Man in the Shteeble-Lev Tahor (Winning Song #18)
Kol Berama-Simcha Leiner (Winning Song #17)
Someday-MBD
Teardrop-Abie Rotenberg
It's Shabbos Now-8th Day
Nichakeh Lecha-Ishay Ribo and Nathan Goshen (Winning Song #16)
Kah Echsof-Karlin (Winning Song #15)
Hine Yamim Baim-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song #14)
Daddy Come Home-Yeshiva Boys Choir
Hishbati-Dudi Kalish
Shifchi-Carlebach
A Sukkahleh-MBD and Yeedle (Winning Song #13)
Refuah-Yaakov Shwekey
Proik-MBD
Shema Koleinu-Miami Boys Choir
Seder Ha'avoda-Ishay Ribo (Winning Song)
Recently Added

Need help or tips with anything guitar related? We're happy to help!

Questions or concerns about anything on this site or anything else kumzitz related?

Shoot us a line, and we'll get back to you soon iy"H.

Copyright The Jewish Chords
Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress

Dynamic title for modals

Are you sure?

Please confirm deletion. There is no undo!