Question 1

How do I transpose a song to another key?

Accepted Answer

Work out the distance in semitones between the old key and the new one, then move every chord by that distance. From C to E is four semitones up; from G to D is seven up, or five down, which is the same chords an octave apart. Paste the chart here and the arrows do the counting.

Question 2

Will it keep my lyrics lined up?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Only the chord symbols are rewritten and everything else — spaces, line breaks, words — is left exactly as it was. Because a transposed symbol can be one character longer or shorter (C becomes C#), check the alignment once at the end if the spacing matters to you.

Question 3

Should I choose sharps or flats?

Accepted Answer

Follow the key you are landing in: sharp keys (G, D, A, E, B, F#) are written with sharps and flat keys (F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db) with flats. If you are unsure, the circle of fifths page shows which accidental each key uses. Guitarists often prefer sharps; horn and keyboard players often prefer flats.

Question 4

Does it handle slash chords and extensions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A slash chord's bass note moves with the chord, so D/F# becomes E/G# when you go up two. Extensions and alterations — 7, maj7, sus4, add9, m7b5 — are carried through untouched, since only the root letter and any accidental need to change.

Transpose music — move a chart to any key

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