Working out chord and scale transpositions can be a bit frustrating. You could learn all the chords and scales in every fret position for each string, you could use a book of scales and chords, or you could try this Guitar Chord and Scale Translator.
It names the notes by their position relative to a root note, placed on a fretboard, and uses the named notes along with either a chord or scale formulae chart.
A brief description of the diagrams is provided below, followed by some examples.
The Fretboard Diagram
The fretboard diagram is a reference for working out where to put your fingers on the fretboard when using either the chord or scale formulae.
 |
| Fretboard |
R corresponds to the Root note of a scale or chord.
Chord Formulae Diagram
The chart below contains the basic chord formulae. Each row is a separate chord, showing the individual notes that make up each chord.
 |
| Chord Formulae |
Use the note names relevant to the type of chord you want to play, work out where those notes are on the fretboard. Make sure a note from the formula for a particular chord is assigned to each played string.
Scale Formulae Diagram
The chart below contains the basic scale formulae. Each row is a separate scale, showing the individual notes that make up each scale.
 |
| Music Scale Formulae |
Use the note names relevant to the type of scale you want to play, work out where those notes are on the fretboard.
Example: Major Chord
Use the Major Chord formula from the Chord Formulae Diagram:
 |
| Major Chord Formula |
Work out where those notes lie on the fretboard using the Fretboard Diagram. If the chord in question is an E Major, then the Root Note is an E, which is also an open string on a guitar. The bottom of the fretboard diagram corresponds to a low E on the Guitar (The 6th string).
The notes for an E major, where the root note is on the sixth string could look like this.
 |
| Major Chord |
Try the same E Major Chord in different positions on the neck.
 |
| Relocated Major Chord |
Example: Major Scale
Use the Major Scale formula from the Scale Formulae Diagram:
 |
| Major Scale Formula |
Work out where those notes lie on the fretboard using the Fretboard Diagram. The bottom of the fretboard diagram corresponds to a low E on the Guitar (The 6th string).
 |
| Major Scale |
Try the different fingering options for the same scale.
 |
| Relocation of Major Scale |
Several times...
 |
| Relocation of a Major Scale (2) |
Drop by the Songstuff Forums to discuss guitars and to discuss this article.
