JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Do you use a capo??

Do you use a capo when writing or performing?
Why? I can't use barr chords(fingers just won't work for me)so if I want to play further up the fret board I use a capo,doesn't look as impressive as those that can use the barr chords with ease,but, that's it.I don't pretend to be a great guitarest.

I can play barre chords with ease but a capo allows you to get very different sounds playing open chords with the capo.

I just about always have a capo on.
After the carpal tunnel surgery, it was no longer a matter of never having learned how to do bar chords. Now I really can't without being in a whole lotta pain.
I also make no claims to being a great guitarist....

on the ohter hand..... I have seen some pretty impressive guitarists use them. who obviously could play without one. Must be as Duke says... a different sound.

for me... it's not a choice.... play with a capo... or don't play at all.

One other point... the farther up the fret board you go the less pressure you have to exert to hold the string down. just capoing up 2 frets makes a world of difference with my weak wrists now. I would be in a lot more pain if I had to go play without the capo.

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Harriet
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/harrietamesmusic.htm

Yup. You do get different voicings with it, and sometimes it helps when trying to sing things that you can play in one key, but can't sing without the capo changing the pitch.

I've just heard recently of "altered capos" where sections have been cut out allowing only certain strings to be capoed. This could be a quick way to do a dropped D tuning for instance. The possibilities are endless.

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Tom Tracy
http://www.soundclick.com/tomtracy

Isn't there an organization called CA, Capoers Anonymous? You have to admit that there's a higher key.

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Mike Dunbar Music

What Duke said!

The guitar in standard tuning is basically an "E" instrument with all those tones that can ring out on the open strings.** If I want the ringing tones in the key of G instead then I would have to barre the 3rd fret for the entire song. Also, when you barre a chord, this only leaves three other fingers free. If you're like me, I can only stretch those other three fingers a maxiumum of four or five frets up from the barre. With a capo on the third fret allowing both a low and high G note to ring out on the first and 6th strings, I can still use four fingers to fret other notes as high up the fretboard as I'd like.

A capo can also be used to change tuning in a partial capo method. Capo all but the low E string and you have the E equivalent to a drop D tuning. EBEAC#F# Capo all but the low two strings and you have EAEAC#F# with the E and the A string each having a octave drone.

Another use is playing open position chords in a different neck position just to fill a different area of the spectrum and can be very helpful to fill out the sound when playing with two or more guitars (or overlaying additional tracks on a recording). For example, if the song's pattern is F - A - C and you play it with a capo on the 5th fret you now play C - E - G. Same chords, different feel.

And after all, capos are fun for confusing the hell out of novice bass players who try to watch the chord shapes your fingering in the open position and then transpose on the fly.

God bless capos!

{** anyone who wants to correct me and say its an Em7sus4 instrument in the open ringing tones feel free.}

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Marty listen here

Is there a setting on the digital delay that will allow me to think before I speak?

[This message has been edited by Marty Helly (edited 11-23-2004).]

I'm a real good guitar player...
I know millions of chords in every imaginable voicing..

I use a capo all the time...
sometimes it's just what you need..

Dropped D is easy..

Just capo the first 5 strings at the second fret and play a D chord on the fourth fret ...Boom!..you have an E chord in drop D tuning

I love my capo !

Bob

One other point - I never thought of barre chords as impressive technique. Always figured they were for rock guitarists who didn't want to learn more than two chord shapes.

You guys want a cool capo, check one of these babies out:

http://www.thirdhandcapo.com/

They are cool as heck to mess around with in songwriting, and practically speaking they can get you an alternate tuning live (like DADGAD) without having to retune strings (me - I'm lazy and scared to do that live).

Bob is being modest. He is an excellent guitarist.

I use one a lot. It comes in handy when I've pitched the key a little too low or high for my choirs and I need a quick transposition. I have to play the melody for them and because I transpose more slowly nowadays it's faster if I just capo up and can use the notation as written.

However the real reason I use one is not only because of carpal tunnel but also because the little finger of my left hand turns in toward my ring finger and doesn't function normally. That pretty much messes me up and most of the time only leaves me with two fingers that work properly. Also my hands are very small, the size of a fourth grader's hands so even with a straight finger, barring is very difficult.

(By the way I just found out the name for the condition and that there may be a treatment which could straighten the finger out. So later this year I am looking into it.)

However even if my finger were straight and my hands were larger, I would still use the capo for the reason of voicing. I combine fingerpicking and strumming a lot and the key of C and G are the best when you want to use the thumb for picking out the melody line. (Which I do a lot to help my choirs and congregation follow the melody.)

One can become a little bit lazy though in terms of transposition when it's used all the time. One time I left my capo at home while I was practicing and didn't realize it until I was just about to play. Luckily we were only using that for one song. LOL, I had to turn into a lyric soprano that day which is pretty hard for a contralto to do. A few days later I bought another one and always keep it in my case so that won't happen again.

We have a bassist for our group now and after a few times of having to transpose nearly every song in a variety of keys, he started bringing using one too. Lucky for me because I had started to transpose the notation for all the music we use.

I had never thought or heard of capoing just part of the strings until I read this post. How cool. I am going to play around with that. Thanks, guys.

Oh yeah! I'm not theory-trained, so I can't easily transpose. Nor am I real proficient guitarist, so capoing allows me to sing in the proper key for me. At given times, I may capo at a lower fret than usual if my upper register is feeling uncooperative!

For some songs, my guitarist capos at a different fret than me to give the sound more texture.

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Marian Mastrorilli
mastrose@aol.com
http://www.projectmercury.net

[This message has been edited by mastrose (edited 11-23-2004).]

I'm a formally trained guitarist in many styles. I use a capo mainly for country or folk-type music for the sound it gives. The reasons:

1. The open strings sound different from fretted notes.
2. I will also use it when writing to test a couple of different keys for the melodic range.
3. I use it sometimes for doubling a guitar part so that different voicings of chords are used, i.e., open position vs capo on fifth fret.
4. I've also used in on classical guitar to mimic the sound of a lute. Usually a capo on the 2nd fret works well for this (and a dropped tuning).




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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

I'ts capoliscious..
I remember when I first discovered it..
I't was like a gift from above.

DAvid

I always use a capo. barre chords always sound terrible when I play them.
I read an interview in acoustic guitar magazine with Lyle Lovett who said when writing he starts in the morning with open strings when his voice is lower and moves the capo up depending on where his voice feels natural as the day goes on.

Doug

Yup, a lot.... in fact my three most recent compositions are on the 8th fret. I find capoing wonderfully inspirational ...it's like a whole new sound.... all new compositions...

Like pretty much everything else, I use a capo when I need it to get the effect I'm looking for. Sort of like saying, "Do you use a screwdriver?" if you know what I mean....

--- Ed


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http://www.edperrone.com/music/

Even great guitarists (people that do play barr chords) use capos. It's nothing to be em(barr)ased about.
Keep working on 'em though. They do come in handy at times.

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mail@bluestew.com

Yep. I use one.
Not only is it a great little paper weight, but also fits in with the decor of my studio.
Just kidding Everet.
Pretty well whatb Ed said.
Use it where it gives what you want.
Re the can't make barre chords Everett.
Neither can I.
If you can make a B7 shape, try that up and down the neck Cobber.
The note on the fifth string is the sig of the chord you are making.
Works for me.
In E. Going from open E to an E 7 in the B7 shape on the 6th fret and back to open is a nice end or turnaround thing.
An open A to one on the 13th fret and back to open is too.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Thank you all for your input,I am learning a lot.Bob,I hope you are kidding about knowing a million chords,it makes me feel pretty small,I only know about 15 or 20,all on the first three frets.

I do like using the capo,it allows me to use my voice differently while using chords I am use to playing.Depending on the song,I can't seem to get the right sound or pitch in my voice on the first three frets but by moving a capo up a fret or two or three,I can get it.Thank you all,keep it coming.

Thanks Graham for those tips.

Ev -

If you know 15 or 20 chord shapes - you can try each of those in 3, 4, 5 and 6 string combinations and those 3 string combinations can be low 3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6.

Don't feel small, you really know more than 100 chord voicings! You just didn't know you knew.

I have to disagree with Bob on one thing. Dropped "D" with a capo isn't easy. What he described was a dropped "E". Easier to get a dropped D tuning by dropping the low E to a D and not using a capo.

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Marty listen here

Is there a setting on the digital delay that will allow me to think before I speak?

[This message has been edited by Marty Helly (edited 11-24-2004).]

Er, Ah, what's a Capo? No I don't have one but have been thinking about getting one. If I work out a song that is in some other key than C I can't pick the melody and have to hum or whistle the break. C is pretty low for me so I need to raise the pitch a bit and a Capo may let me pick a melody at the right pitch.

Marion. I have put a trasposition chart up in SongRampt Tools of Trade Forum which may make life a bit easier for you.
Bob Young hates it. Mike Dinbar loves it.
Every working muso in our area has one in their kit.
You make ya own mind up.
No sweat Everett.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Bob is being hyperbolic. It is doubtful that he knows more than two- or three-hundred thousand chords.

Trueman. Being dyslectic does have it's advantages as I cane in and read that phrase as" Bob is being hyperbobical" and tolly lost my ares to laughter believe me.
And I agree.
After all Bob is a bandleader so probably loses count after going 1 2 3 4.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Graham, I couldn't find your transposition chart. Where do I have to navigate to?

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Marian Mastrorilli
mastrose@aol.com
http://www.projectmercury.net

...And if you clip one of those big old metal capos on the handle of your guitar case in just the right way, it looks like a big padlock and people won't mess with your stuff.<g>

I use a capo for the same reason a lot of y'all do. I am after a certain configuration of notes that require my fingers to be in certain positions (especially for doing runs on the bass strings), but if the [expletive deleted] performing the song insists on doing it in a different key, out comes the capo. Especially useful for working with accordionists, who seem to be obsessed with keys like E-flat.

I don't usually need to use a capo with the stuff I've written, because I write to what I can sing. I do have two songs, though, that I sing in D but really want to finger in C. Again, out comes the capo.

Joe

I'll go in and get the link as soon as I get done in here Marion.
From memory, I may have alrady put it up in Theory and education forum in JPF too.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Here ya go Marion.
Is in Theory and education forum also.
Have fun.
http://www.songramp.com/messages.ez..._id=2990289&Form.sess_key=1094685241

Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

HEY !

Quit picking on pore ol' Bob.

What I meant was..capoing the top five strings on the second fret, and playing a D shape on the fourth fret gives you a dropp D tuning(or voicing) in the key of E.

That's correct..

OK...OK..maybe I don't know a million chords..

But well...several hundred thousand at least..

Ang Greaham...I don't hate your chart...not at all...
I think it may be helpful to lots of folks..in fact, it obviously is..
But, it was just a bit confusing for my simple mind...

And somebody mentioned capoing up high, like on the eight fret..

That puts the guitar into a whole different sound, and it's really a good easy way to come up with new ideas when you're feeling a bit stale.

I love my capo !

I love everybody !

All you need is love.

Love is all around.

Make love, not war.

Love is my favorite four letter word.

Love and Kisses

Bob Young

It's a big shot in the Mafia. Clemenza and Tessio were the Capos in the Corleone Family.

Nah. It's a hormone treated chicken Trueman.
Hey Bob. I know ya don't hate it. Mike doesn't love it either.
Thems just the extremes of emotion I used because I know how to spell them Cobber.
Less than impressed, and rather enthused seemed a bit wordy to me.
Me being a man of few words and all.
Graham



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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Good thread folks.
I use mine for a few reasons.

I tune my guitar a half step below standard
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. Main reason is my voice seems to like it.

Also, I like medium strings, and it makes the strings a bit easier to bend, due to the lesser amount of tension.Easier on the guitar top too.

If I'm at a bluegrass jam, I capo the first fret, and I'm in standard tuning with them.
The other guitarists kinda look at me like "what's he doing ?" lol
After the music gets goin, they realize what's goin on.

There is an added benifit to this also. Capoing the first fret(or any fret) lowers the action, allowing bar chords to fret a bit easier.


Capos are great if you are playing with another guitarist, especially if both are playing dreadnoughts. Makes the soloing guitar stand out.

I see mention of the Third Hand capo. I've always wanted one of those, but have never seen them in stores.May have to order one and play around with it.

Many folks say using a capo is cheating. I've heard them called "cheaters".

That is silly. If the use of capos is cheating, then is using a pick cheating ? An amp ? a slide ? lol

Naw, capos are tools/acessories.

My fav capo is the shubb deluxe. You can fine tune the tension with the shubb, and prevent pulling the guitar out of tune like the spring types do.

Tony


[This message has been edited by TonyW (edited 11-30-2004).]

For a few years in my younger days, I couldn't afford a capo (and too young to drive to the store to get one anyway), so I made my own. All you need is a good rubber band or two and a pencil - a used one that's a bit shorter than a new one, but a bit longer than the width of your instrument's fingerboard. Hold the pencil against the strings right behind a fret, and warp the rubber band around it holding it in place. The instrument strings dig into the pencil a bit, but still work okay. If you wanna try it before you buy a good quality capo, it'll work, but only if you're covering all the strings.

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Tom Tracy
http://www.soundclick.com/tomtracy

Have any of you tried a roller-type capo? You don't take it off the guitar. When not in use, it rests on the nut. When you want to use it, you just "roll" it into position with your thumb. It is great for guitar players who need to change the position of their capo within a song. You can slide it from fret to fret almost instantaneously. It's pretty cool, although for pure elegance and simplicity, I prefer to use my Shubb.

Check the roller-type out at:

http://www.glidercapo.com/closeup.htm

Oh I have one of those too. I like it well enough but I rolled it up over the nut and it stretched out the springs, so I only put that on if I have a number of songs in a row to do when I am performing.

Graham,

When I get to that page I am told that the message has been deleted??


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Marian Mastrorilli
mastrose@aol.com
http://www.projectmercury.net

I LOVE IT

My guitar can't live without it.

Kris Karr

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/kriskarrmusic.htm

Here's a fun chord chart link for those looking for new shapes all over the neck.
chords and scales


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Marty listen here

Is there a setting on the digital delay that will allow me to think before I speak?

Sorry Marion. I had put up an updated version and forgot to update the link.
Here it is.
http://www.songramp.com/messages.ez?forum_id=18&Form.ShowMessage=7388

This one covers alternative (as what to tune each string to to raise or lower the all over tone of a standard tune .
It also covers bass to six string and seven string guitar.
Sorry marion, and anybody else who had a wasted trip.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

I was watching TV last night and there was a woman on there ... dang, I forget her name already, Carrie somebody, singer-songwriter... anyway, she's up there with TWO capos on her guitar. One on the 2nd fret, one on the 4th fret. Does the first song, pops off the 4th fret capo, and (I thought) ready to go for the next song.

Except... Something must have gone wrong, because as the band was doing the introduction, she took off the 2nd-fret capo, grabbed the other one that she'd already taken off, and put THAT one on the 2nd fret.

Oh, yeah, and she also retuned a couple of strings between the songs.

Anyway, I thought the using the two capos was a pretty cool trick, until it seemed to backfire. And naturally, as soon as I saw her walk out there with two capos on, I thought of this topic....

--- Ed


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http://www.edperrone.com/music/

When I use the roller one, I can do songs like Mandy (I do a country version) and Austin (Blake Shelton) and when the key changes I roll it up a couple frets and play the same chords in a new key. If you do it right and fast, it's actually very cool.
Herbie