How to simulate the effect of a guitar capo—or a detune
Note: Support for capo playback is available from MuseScore 3 onwards (see Handbook: Capo playback). This text applies to previous versions.
Guitarists, and other players of plucked instruments, often use a device called a capo to play in different keys.
There are two ways to achieve a virtual capo effect in MuseScore:
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Set up the virtual capo before entering any guitar notation. This is usually the preferred method as it allows entered notes to be heard at the correct pitch.
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Set up the virtual capo after entering guitar notation. Fret marks are reset to default and may need to be re-edited.
Refer to the example scores: 1 C scale.mscz or the equivalent in tablature: 1TAB.mscz.
Suppose, for example, that you wish to hear the example score, a scale in C, as it would sound with a capo at the third fret. This will transpose playback up by 3 semitones: i.e. a minor third.
Apply capo before note entry
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Transpose playback: Set the key signature of the guitar staff to the correct concert pitch. In this case it needs to be raised from C to Eb (3 flats);
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Restore correct written pitch. Right-click on the staff and select Staff properties. Where it says "Transpose written pitches to sound," chose an interval from the dropdown list equal to the interval in step 1 (above). Make sure that "Up" is ticked as well. Click OK to close the dialog;
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Enter music notation.
Apply capo after note entry
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Transpose playback. From the menu, select Notes → Transpose... Tick "By interval" and ensure that "Up" and "Transpose key signatures" are also selected. Then select "Minor Third" in the drop-down list. Click OK to close the dialog:
Result: 2 C scale.mscz In tablature: 2TAB.mscz
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Restore correct written pitch. Right-click on the staff and select Staff properties. Where it says "Transpose written pitches to sound," chose the same interval as before, a minor third, in the drop-down list. Make sure that "Up" is ticked as well. Click OK to close the dialog:
Result: 3 C scale.mscz In tablature: 3TAB.mscz
In both methods, the procedure can be easily adapted for other capo positions by using a different interval: e.g. Capo 1 (Minor Second), Capo 2 (Major Second), Capo 4 (Major Third), Capo 5 (Perfect Fourth) and so on.
Detuning the Instrument
To detune the instrument just adapt the above procedures substituting "Down" transposition instead.