What fret is the capo on for the song A Thing Going On?

The song A Thing Going On by J.J. Cale uses a capo on fret 4. Using a capo allows you to play the song with open chord shapes without difficult barre chords.

A Thing Going On

Q: How to play the easy chords for A Thing Going On (J.J. Cale)?

To play the Easy Chords for A Thing Going On, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords with Capo on Fret 4 to make transitions easier without barre chords.

Q: Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

J.J. Cale verified

Key: G#M

110 BPM

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)

Strum: ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

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🎸 Original Version Easy Chords

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Notation

Capo ?

Instrument

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Easy Chord Tip: Use capo on fret 4 — use Em chord shapes. Pelajari Smart Capo →

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CHORD DIAGRAMS

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tune Transposed: semitones

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info About This Song

Song Fundamentals

Key G#m (G# Minor)

Tempo / BPM 110 BPM (Approx.)

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Time Signature 4/4

Difficulty Level Advanced

Capo Position Capo Fret 4

Chord Count 5 Unique Chords

Genre Blues

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Strumming Pattern ↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑

Time Signature 4/4

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A Thing Going On by J.J. Cale is played in the key of G#m. Originally recorded in the sounding key of G#m, 'A Thing Going On' by J.J. Cale is best approached with a Capo placed on Fret 4, enabling guitarists to execute friendly Em shapes while fully preserving the studio pitch. Utilize an open C#m7 shape (x46600) as a resonant acoustic substitution that completely bypasses fourth-fret barre tension and finger strain. The primary progression challenge lies in switching between G#m and C#m: keep your fingers hovering close to the fretboard rather than flying off between changes. Set your metronome at an initial practice tempo of 79 BPM in 4/4 time to master the '↓ - ↓ ↑ - ↑ ↓ ↑' strumming groove, emphasizing steady downstrokes on beats one and three before accelerating toward the studio speed of 110 BPM.

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

Harmonic Progression

Progression Pattern (Roman Numerals)

i – iv – ♭VII – i – iv – ♭VII

Song chords:

star Primary Chords (Song Foundation)

Abm C#m F# Ebm

Chords that repeat most frequently throughout the verse and chorus.

more_horiz Auxiliary / Transition Chords

Used as harmonic transition variations in intro, bridge, or outro.

tune Why Use a Capo?

Capo & Sounding Key

Sounding Key G#M Acoustic pitch of original recording

Capo Fret 4 sync_alt Raises the pitch of open strings

Fingering Shape Key EM Open chord finger positions

Placing a Capo on Fret 4 transforms fingering into Em, maintaining G#m sound without complex barre chords.

lightbulb Alternative Capo Positions for This Song:

piano Chord Family G#M

Diatonic Matrix

This song is built on the key of G#M. Here are the 7 diatonic chords (Chord Family) that harmonize according to music theory:

i G#m Tonic

ii° A#dim Supertonic

III B Mediant

iv C#m Subdominant

v D#m Dominant

VI E Submediant

VII F# Subtonic

speed Difficulty Level: Advanced

Difficulty Determinants for This Song:

check_circle Uses 5 unique chords throughout the song

check_circle Requires 5 barre chord shapes (Abm, C#m, F#)

check_circle Capo on fret 4 is recommended for optimal finger comfort

dna MUSICAL DNA:

KEY: G#M • TEMPO: 110 BPM (Approx.) • PROG: i – iv – ♭VII – i – iv – ♭VII • DIFF: 5/5 • CAPO: 4

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ A Thing Going On

FAQ & Tips

quiz How to play the easy chords for A Thing Going On (J.J. Cale)?

To play the Easy Chords for A Thing Going On, toggle the Easy Chords button above the workstation canvas. This version is designed with beginner-friendly open chords with Capo on Fret 4 to make transitions easier without barre chords.

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for A Thing Going On?

The original recording key for A Thing Going On by J.J. Cale is G#M. You can use the Transpose (+ / -) feature anytime to adjust the pitch to match male or female vocal ranges automatically.

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

Yes, ChordGitar.in features touch-free Auto-Scroll with speed control, as well as an integrated player so your tempo and rhythm practice stays precise.

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A Thing Going On - J.J. Cale

Official Audio

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KEY F#M

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A Thing Going On

Batas Kuota Harian Tercapai

info About This Song

account_tree Chord Progression Analysis

tune Why Use a Capo?

piano Chord Family G#M

speed Difficulty Level: Advanced

help Easy Chord Guide & FAQ A Thing Going On

quiz How to play the easy chords for A Thing Going On (J.J. Cale)?

quiz What are the basic guitar chords and original key for A Thing Going On?

quiz Is audio sync and auto-scroll available for practice?

A Thing Going On

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