Guitar with capo

[sciurius]

Occasionally we want to play a song in a different key, and when the new key is a bit higher it is easy for me since I just put a capo on my guitar.

However, for practising, I need iRP to take the capo into account when producing the sound. For example, when the capo is on the 2nd fret, I want to see a C but hear a D.

Am I overlooking a trivial way to make iRP do this?

[pdxdjazz]

Chromatic global transpose is not currently available in iReal Pro.
It would be useful for capo users if they could designate a capo fret setting (1-11) for individual songs.
ie. capo-2, play G = key of A

There's currently no easy/convenient work-around.

Options:
Two devices, one to display the transposed chart, one to play.
On devices that can multi-task, you could take a screenshot of the chart transposed to your capo-key, then reset to concert-key, start play, view the screen-shot.
The moving playback position indicator won't happen on the chart you read.
Or
Edit the chart adding alternate small chords (transposed to your capo setting) one by one.
Read/play the alternate (small) chords with the capo as the chart plays in concert key.
(Playback position works)
Or
Using Global transpose setting: (for example) (it's complicated)
If the chart's concert key is C
set global transpose to F = capo 5 (up 2 and a half steps)
The chart reads G , you play G (capo 5) the player plays in concert C.

Currently available global transpose options: (did I mention it's complicated...)
Bb - plays up 5 steps from displayed chords (or down one whole step)
(capo 10 and play displayed chords relative to the capo as though it was the nut -1st position)

Eb - plays up a minor third (step and a half) from displayed chords (or down 4 and a half)
(capo 3 and play displayed chords)

F - plays up 2 and a half steps from displayed chords (or down 3 and a half)
(capo 5 and play displayed chords)

G - plays up 3 and a half steps from displayed chords (or down 2 and a half)
(capo 7 and play displayed chords)

To hear D and play/read a capo, your current global transpose options are:
Set Global transpose to:
Bb - Capo 10, read/play E
Eb - capo 3, read/play B
F - capo 5, read/play A
G - capo 7, read/play G

It doesn't appear the available Global transpose options offer a hear D, read C option.
Remember to reset Global transpose to C when done.

Final option:
Learn to read/play using Nashville Number charts...

)BOB

[sciurius]

Thanks for your extensive answer. Many of the alternatives I've already tried, and they don't make me happy.

From an implementation POV I think this is a minor issue. It is not even necessary (although it would be convenient) to store the capo setting in the song file (this would require and extension of the current file format, with possible backward compatibility issues).

So I'd strongly appreciate adding this feature to iRealPro.
May I invite all other guitar players to support this request?

[Noelr]

Hi, how can I play hotel California in Bminor with the backing track, but with a call on 7th fret, starting in Em shape, with the chord diagrams in Em etc.
And are there any tips or tutorials on transposing with a capo.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Noel.

[pdxdjazz]

Currently, the best answer(s) are in a previous post in this thread
)BOB

[rkj]

Thanks for your extensive answer. Many of the alternatives I've already tried, and they don't make me happy.

From an implementation POV I think this is a minor issue. It is not even necessary (although it would be convenient) to store the capo setting in the song file (this would require and extension of the current file format, with possible backward compatibility issues).

So I'd strongly appreciate adding this feature to iRealPro.
May I invite all other guitar players to support this request?

I second that request. You already have the capability built-in with global transpose, you just need to make that available for every semitone. It's very common for guitar players to play with a capo in any of the first 5 frets.

[rkj]

Really, you have to wonder why such a simple-to-implement and obvious request has been ignored for so long. The feature already exists, and only needs to be expanded to include all semitones. The original post was 8 years ago and it's been viewed almost 6000 times. It would be an extremely useful feature for thousands of users.

[robkoper]

Yes it is a shame that the use of capo's for guitarists has not yet been prioritized in the development of ireal pro. I had a discussion about this with the support staff and the impression I got is that they do not really get the message what is actually needed. As is already stated in this thread: the basic technology is already implemented in ireal pro for two different cases:
a. "Adjust Tuning" for instruments, including guitars, that are tuned a bit different (eg half step down for guitars). The tuning possibilities are however limited to half step down and half step up for guitars (415 - 466 Hz).
b. "Transposing Instrument", this is a similar feature to capo's, implemented for Wind Instruments, that can be tuned to C, Bb, Eb, F or G.

The last feature is very similar to the support for capos. Indeed, a capo actually changes the tuning of the guitar. There are two differences with the 'transpose instrument' function:
1. A guitarist can change the position of the capo (and so the tuning of the instrument) depending on the song. So, it is not a global function.
2. A guitarist can transpose the instrument in only one direction with a maximum of about 8 half steps. E.g. in normal guitar tuning, An E chord sounds like an F chord when the capo is positioned in the first fret. Capo in the second fret, the same chord shape sounds like an F#, third as a G, etc.

So, what is needed is:
- that a user can specify what pitch the backing track will be played in, in steps relative to the visible chords, ranging from 0 to +8 (for capos), but more generic, from -12 to +12.

In most tools this is a feature that is presented alongside the 'transpose' function:
- transpose changes the chords that are visible to the user
- pitch represents the change of pitch of the backing track player, relative to the visible chords (eg, three half steps higher).

Hope this will be implemented soon!
Rob

Note: keep up the good work!!

[pdxdjazz]

Here’s another capo-related idea
https://www.irealb.com/forums/showth...5592#post55592
)BOB

[robkoper]

This is confusing: it is not really related to the pitch that the playback engine is playing, but to the chord diagrams: maybe important but unrated issue to the ‘capo’, cq instrument tuning of guitars