If what you are searching for is the trigger style type of capo. For example, let’s say a guitarist plays a particular song in the key of C, but is getting together with a friend who plays the same song in D. Rather than transposing the song from C to D, a capo on the second fret will raise the guitar’s pitch by a whole step. This greatly reduces the need to retune your guitar during and after capo use. A guitar capo is a tool used by both acoustic guitarist and electric guitarist to shorten the length of the fretboard, thereby raising the key one half-step for every fret. For example, Bb is a weird key for the guitar, but if you stick a capo on the 3rd fret, you can use the open G C D Am and Em shapes. What is a Capo? Capos can prove especially useful if you have two guitarists playing a song together. There are a number of great reasons to use a capo. We say these notes are “one tone higher” or a “whole step” higher (the distance of two frets) than the normal open string notes. If you play with a capo on the 2nd fret a song with chords like G, C and D will sound like A major. This is a powerful "shortcut" for beginner players, as it enables you to play songs in varied keys, even with a limited chord memory. (Depending on where it is supposed to go.) For example if you like to use the open (first position) chords in the key of G major such as G, C, D, Em and Am but want to sing a song in the key of A, you can put a capo on the second fret and play the chords as if you were playing in the key of G. Using the capo, you can raise the key of your guitar by two half steps, so it sounds like D. Of course, that’s just one example. There is, however, one golden rule you should observe, regardless of the particular style of capo: keep it even. For instance on a guitar without a capo a solo and chords learned in the key of “G” can be played in the key of “A” without learning to play anything differently just by placing the capo behind the second fret. The ability to change keys with a capo is a gift unto itself, though, if you're playing with a group and need to play a song in a specific key. Capo Chart Nat i onal G ui t ar Academy - Learn gui t ar t he easy way . Learn to play the guitar fast with an expert guitar instructor. If you place a capo on the neck (especially high on the neck), the guitar has a brighter sound. The clamp can be placed on any fret, effectively re-tuning the guitar to a key of your choice. How To Use To Make Songs Easier To Play. You could also easily play the key of G with the capo on the fifth fret (playing the G with a "D shape"); with the capo on the 7th fret (playing the G with a "C shape"); or with the capo on the 10th fret (playing the G with an "A shape. First and foremost, you can use your capo to play songs whose original key might be giving you some difficulty. How to use a capo on guitar . The capo functions identically to barring a fret with the index finger, except that it then allows you to have your other four fingers free to play. The capo chart shows how your normal, open position chords change when you have your capo affixed to a particular fret. But the best one has to be the Kyser KG6B 6 String Capo. You can of course go further than the sixth fret, but it will soon be very short of room for your fingers. Taking its name from the Italian word for "head," a capo is a small device that clamps onto the neck of a guitar and shortens the length of the strings, raising their pitch. The lowest one is on the bottom (fattest) string, 5th fret. In this case, you would put the capo on a guitar neck at the second fret and you would be playing in the key of D. You can move the capo up and down the neck to whatever fret that you want to change the key. Unfortunately, though, the pressure they apply is not adjustable, which might throw your tuning off if you don't attach it to the guitar neck properly. Capos are a popular way of transposing the key of a guitar quickly and easily, allowing the player to produce notes of a higher pitch without changing the shape of their fingers. Welcome to today’s lesson in which we will provide you with all the information you need on this handy tool (capo) and how you can make the best use of it… In a nutshell, it’s a clamp for your guitar’s strings designed to raise the pitch – like putting the guitar’s nut at a higher fret. So, if you have music written in the key of C# and I want to play it in A? Strings are placed within grooves in the nut. The question as written doesn’t make sense by itself, since a key is related to the chords you’re playing and that isn’t mentioned. It can even sound more like a mandolin. Though both are playing the same chord, the capo modulates the key of the second guitar to ‘E’. You can take lessons locally or online. Make Songs Easier To Sing . The same note is also played on the 5th string open. The guitar will sound more like a mandolin (you know, that teardrop-shaped little stringed instrument that you hear gondoliers play in films set in Italy). Dm Capo 2 = Em | Dm Capo 3 = Fm | Dm Capo 5 = Gm In other words, a place of rest on that note or chord. A capo is just a simple clamp that goes across all 6 strings to make it easier to play in different keys. A guitar capo can do much more than simply change the key of a song, it can create an entirely different sonic experience. See also The Capo Chart ebook with over 300 chord diagrams including partial capo. In the key of C, let's say were using the C, F, and G chords. Let’s say that, without the capo, you like to play the chords G-C-D-Em and Am (which are in the key of G minor). Try some of these songs on for size to get used to playing with your capo in different positions on the fretboard: In time, using a capo will become second nature. You just attach the capo around the guitar neck on a fret that you choose and the pitch is raised (place the capo over the fretboard as you would do with your index finger playing a barre chord). Let’s use the capo attached at fret two as an example again, although you can put the capo across any fret. Remember to choose the right capo for you, and take the time to place it on properly before you begin. In this case you should probably not use a capo at all but transpose the whole music piece to another key. The key of the music isn't determined by where you place the capo. The capo changes the effective tuning of the guitar. If you are playing in the key of D, placing the capo on the first fret will modulate the song to D#/Eb. We're going to play the same chord forms. Some lever-style capos have a screw, which you'll need to tighten in order to have the capo clamp the strings snugly. The guitar capo can be used to figure out new chord shapes and fingerings for familiar songs by playing in the original key, but in a different position on the guitar neck. Shubb Deluxe Series GC-30 (S1) Acoustic Guitar Capo (middle) A capo is a small clamp with a flat rubber surface designed to push on all six guitar strings evenly. Lastly, you can throw your capo on the guitar to make playing certain melodies an easier task. Capo on 2nd fret, The Beatles, "Norwegian Wood." A capo is a small clamp that fits across the neck of a stringed instrument and alters its sound. More on Transposing Keys Key Converter Changing Chords Chord Numbers Dominant Sevenths Using a Capo Advanced Capo Capo Chord Charts. Keep reading to find more answers to all of your capo-related questions! If the capo is placed on the first fret, for instance, it will emulate the following tuning: Sometimes you see notes like "Capo 3" or "Capo 5". Good. There are 4 reasons why guitar players will use a capo. If you’re comfortable playing barre chords, you don’t need to put the capo anywhere - just play the chords. The IV (four) chord is a common chord to use in a song. A capo transposes the guitar from a key that's difficult to play in to one that's easier. "What's that weird-looking clamp that came with my guitar?" https://goo.gl/Ts2uU6In this beginner guitar lesson, we’ll be taking a look at how to use a capo on the guitar. A roller holds down the strings and another roller behind the neck holds it in place, so the player can roll the capo along the neck. If you play with a capo on the 4th fret a song with chords like C, F and G will sound like E major. There might come a time where you just want a song to sound different. See a picture of fretboard with notes. 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