[kodancer]

I have a problem when it comes to changing keys on a guitar, especially when I'm trying to lower the key of a tenor artist to fit my voice. (My voice is in between baritone and bass.)

Just recently I found a song that I really like. I downloaded it. Copied the file onto a karaoke program which lowers and raises keys. Lowered the key by 3. Still doesn't fit my range. Lowered it once more. Two more times. Perfect. Now how in the world am I going to transpose this key to my guitar?

The song I downloaded is only composed of the chords C#m7, G#7, and F#7 -- key of E I believe. I tried the old fashioned way, in which I just slide down the bar chords down. But it's impossible with the chords I'm working with. Changing 2 of the chords an octave higher doesn't work either because the mixed-up progression doesn't bring the song justice.

How do you guys manage this? Is it even possible?

I'm thinking of learning the piano since it's way easier that way, but I'd like to hear your solutions for the guitar if you guys have any.

Thanks.

[bobthecockroach]

Just play the chords a different way. As I understand it, you're lowering the key by 3 whole tones, so the C#m7 becomes Gm7. There are nearly infinite ways to play a Gm7 on a guitar.

[gtrdave]

Sounds to me like you don't know enough chords.
And I find transposing on guitar MUCH easier than on piano, but that's because I'm a guitar player...
I don't know how your karaoke machine works, but if each numerical value equals 1 half step, your chords would change from the originals as follows:
C#m7 - G#7 - F#7
G#m7 - D#7 - C#7 (or Abm7 - Eb7 - Db7)
If it transposes a whole step at a time the chords would be:
Fm7 - C7 - Bb7
Other than just playing those new chords in the new key, you could try using a capo or detuning the guitar a half-step and using open-position chords.

[1/2-Fast Player]

Hang on, Sparky. 3 whole steps below C# is G, not G#. 3 whole steps below G# is D, not D#. 3 whole steps below F# is C, not C#.

So if he's gone down 6 half tones (3 whole steps), the chords transpose as follows:

C#m7 ---> Gm7
G#7 ---> D7
F#7 ---> C7

All fairly simple chords.

[Rainer.]

Yeah, exactly how many half-steps lower did you go?

Transposition is a fairly essential skill. Find the chords in the new key, and use proper voicings, don't just lower the voicings you're using.

[gtrdave]

My bad. I went 5 half steps and then 5 whole steps, not 6.
I misread "Lowered it once more. Two more times" as "I lowered it once more (or again), two more times".
Period vs. comma.

[kodancer]

I know how to do the alphabet backwards. It's just that the new chords in the same progression don't sound like the song 6 half-steps down. I play the regular chords, C#m7, G#7, and F#7, all in a descending fashion. But when playing Gm7, D7, and C7, I have to either play them on the 10th, 5th and 3rd frets on the A string, barred, or play the common Gm7 barred on the 3rd fret on the E string while moving up the D7 and C7 chords to the 5th fret and 3rd fret on the A string, respectively. These methods don't really blend with my singing and playing together.

I was actually trying to find answers like cockroach's because I tried different variations of chords on the internet, but the sound didn't reflect the song as well as it could have had.

As I should have mentioned, I'm not too familiar with music theory so an example of how to make a transposition of a song sound right would be helpful.

[1/2-Fast Player]

We might be of more help if you could post mp3s of the original song and how you're playing it.

Have you tried playing the D7 and C7 as xx0232 and x32410?

[gtrdave]

Originally Posted by 1/2-Fast Player

We might be of more help if you could post mp3s of the original song and how you're playing it.

Have you tried playing the D7 and C7 as xx0232 and x32410?

And now it's my turn...

D7
xx0212

C7
x32310

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by kodancer

I know how to do the alphabet backwards. It's just that the new chords in the same progression don't sound like the song 6 half-steps down. I play the regular chords, C#m7, G#7, and F#7, all in a descending fashion. But when playing Gm7, D7, and C7, I have to either play them on the 10th, 5th and 3rd frets on the A string, barred, or play the common Gm7 barred on the 3rd fret on the E string while moving up the D7 and C7 chords to the 5th fret and 3rd fret on the A string, respectively. These methods don't really blend with my singing and playing together.

I was actually trying to find answers like cockroach's because I tried different variations of chords on the internet, but the sound didn't reflect the song as well as it could have had.

As I should have mentioned, I'm not too familiar with music theory so an example of how to make a transposition of a song sound right would be helpful.

What song, and what key do you want it in?

Let's quit talking theoretical for a minute, and actually do it.

[1/2-Fast Player]

LOL! Right you are, Dave!