By John Moxey

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 fret board, and uses the named notes along with either a chord or scale formlae 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.