Changing the key: tuned-down recordings, capo, and vocal range
Loop Trainer can move a recording up or down by up to 6 semitones without changing its tempo. This is useful whenever the recording and your instrument (or your voice) are not in the same key.
Semitones in one minute
A semitone (half step) is the distance of one fret on a guitar. Twelve semitones make an octave. Shifting the key by +1 raises every note by one fret's worth: E becomes F, A becomes B♭. Each semitone changes the pitch by a factor of 1.0595, so +2 is 1.122 times the original frequency.
Changing the key on a record player or a tape changes the speed too. Loop Trainer changes the pitch and the speed separately, so you can use the key and the speed together: for example −1 and 70%.
How many semitones? Common situations
| Situation | Key setting |
|---|---|
| The recording is tuned down a half step (E♭ tuning), and you play in standard tuning | +1 |
| The recording is tuned down a whole step (D tuning), and you play in standard tuning | +2 |
| The recording is in standard tuning, and your guitar is tuned down a half step | −1 |
| The recording uses a capo on fret 2, and you want to play the same shapes without a capo | −2 |
| The recording uses a capo on fret 3, and you want to put your capo on fret 1 | −2 |
| The song is too high to sing | −1 to −3, as far as it feels comfortable |
The rule behind all of these: move the recording toward where your instrument is. If the recording is lower than your guitar, shift it up; if it is higher, shift it down.
Many rock and metal recordings are in E♭ tuning. If the chords you hear seem to sit between two frets, try +1 first.
Key table
The key of the song after shifting it. For example, a song in E shifted by −2 is in D.
| Original key | −3 | −2 | −1 | +1 | +2 | +3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | A | B♭ | B | D♭ | D | E♭ |
| D♭ | B♭ | B | C | D | E♭ | E |
| D | B | C | D♭ | E♭ | E | F |
| E♭ | C | D♭ | D | E | F | F♯ |
| E | D♭ | D | E♭ | F | F♯ | G |
| F | D | E♭ | E | F♯ | G | A♭ |
| F♯ | E♭ | E | F | G | A♭ | A |
| G | E | F | F♯ | A♭ | A | B♭ |
| A♭ | F | F♯ | G | A | B♭ | B |
| A | F♯ | G | A♭ | B♭ | B | C |
| B♭ | G | A♭ | A | B | C | D♭ |
| B | A♭ | A | B♭ | C | D♭ | D |
Keys are written with sharps or flats as they are usually named (F♯ rather than G♭).
Tips
- Small shifts sound most natural. One or two semitones are hard to notice; larger shifts make voices sound a little unnatural.
- Check by ear. Play a note along with the recording. If it beats or sounds sour, try one semitone either way.
- The key is saved for each song, together with the loops and the speed. “Original key” sets it back to ±0.
- For learning by ear, find the notes in the shifted key, then remember the shift when you write them down. See learning by ear.