{"id":26484,"date":"2017-10-13T10:00:07","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T17:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/classicalguitarshed.foureyes.com\/?p=26484"},"modified":"2024-03-07T02:17:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T10:17:23","slug":"capo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Capo? How and Why to Use a Capo on Guitar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the seduction of guitar gizmos.<\/p>\n<p>Electric guitar gets to play with loads of pedals and effects. We classical (and acoustic guitar) players don\u2019t have many accessories.<\/p>\n<p>But we do have a few.<\/p>\n<p>One such gizmo is the capo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"centerc\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EYL1tYGwYY0?rel=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;autohide=1\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What is a Capo?<\/h2>\n<p>A capo is a device that clamps onto a guitar neck to shorten the string length.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine someone walking up behind you and pressing a finger across all your guitar strings with even pressure on the desired fret. This is the guitar capo.<\/p>\n<p>This raises the pitch of what are now the open strings. The guitar has become \u201csmaller\u201d and higher pitched. This is because the vibrating section of the string is now shorter.<\/p>\n\n<p>Guitar capos come in many shapes and sizes (and are incredibly easy to use), but all have the same function: to shorten the vibrating section of the strings.<\/p>\n<p>But why is this useful?<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Use #1: Same Chords, Different Key<\/h2>\n<p>The largest population using guitar capos are players who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/how-to-strum-and-sing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">also sing<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/strum-guitar-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">accompany<\/a> singers. You will see guitar capos used a lot by acoustic guitar players in this context.<\/p>\n<p>Using a capo, a guitar player can play any chord progression he\/she already knows, but have those guitar chords sound in different keys. This small device acts as a movable nut, so we can use the same chord shapes in different positions to explore different keys.<\/p>\n<p>The key of a song just depends on where they put the capo. This simple action makes it incredibly simple to change keys.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, using a capo can cut the need for barre chords or playing in less-familiar locations on the guitar neck. This is especially helpful for beginner guitarists.<\/p>\n<p>As an example, playing with a capo on the first fret allows us to play the f chord while placing the fingers in the e chord shape. This is much easier for beginner guitarists. Some chords (i.e. f major) require more fretted notes (and more work for the left hand) than others. When you use a capo, you can progress at your own pace, while quickly developing more skills.<\/p>\n<p>Another example is when a singer may prefer to sing in a \u201cless-guitar-friendly\u201d key, such as E-flat. The guitarist could then use the capo to change the tuning of the open strings. The guitarist can then use easier \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/learn-guitar-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cowboy chords<\/a>\u201d (basic open position chords) rather than a barre chord shapes. The guitarists can use familiar <a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/chords\">chords<\/a> and have them sound in the key of E-flat.<\/p>\n<p>As a technical example, the guitarist could capo the first fret then play in the key of D. Where normal tuning allowed a \u201cD\u201d chord shape, that same chord now sounds as an E-flat chord (because E-flat is one note up from D, and we\u2019ve capoed one fret up). Playing the E-flat would require a more challenging bar chord shape.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Use #2: Brighten the Sound<\/h2>\n<p>Flamenco guitarists often capo at the first or second fret. This \u201cbrightens\u201d the sound (makes it higher).<\/p>\n<p>This can help the guitar be more easily heard among all the dancing and clapping in <a href=\"http:\/\/ravennaflamenco.com\/articles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">flamenco music<\/a> (And various other types of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/sm-spanish-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Spanish Guitar Music<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Outside flamenco, other guitarists use capos for this same purpose: to help the guitar \u201ccut through\u201d ambient noise.<\/p>\n<p>Note: There may be other reasons flamenco players do this. If you know of any, please share it with us in the comments below.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Use #3: The Composer wants a Specific Sound<\/h2>\n<p>In some pieces, a composer will call for a classical guitar capo. This is usually to get a specific effect.<\/p>\n<p>They may want the guitar to sound like a different instrument, such as a lute or mandolin.<\/p>\n<p>Or they may want the sound of pieces to contrast with each other in a suite or collection.<\/p>\n<p>Some pieces create unique sounds by capoing only some of the strings or altering the capo in some way. Some composers take this idea one step further by combining alternate tunings with a guitar capo.<\/p>\n<p>Advanced classical guitar playing often involves different ways of exploring tonal variations on the guitar. The capo acts as a tool to explore different positions, and change the pitch and chord voicings.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Use #4: Spice Up Your Practice<\/h2>\n<p>Many classical guitarists enjoy playing with a capo during practice. They do this to vary the sound of technical exercises, chord voicings, or familiar pieces.<\/p>\n<p>This can add some variation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">novelty<\/a> to their guitar playing, and encourage them to practice more. In other words, it\u2019s just for fun.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A warning:<\/strong> If you use a capo in practice, be sure to vary the positions. This way, you don\u2019t become accustomed to it one way, and feel awkward in others when we aren&#8217;t playing in the &#8220;sweet spot&#8221; (or worse, when playing without a capo). This is a common mistake that beginner guitarists sometimes make.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Use #5: Shrink Your Guitar<\/h2>\n<p>The main advantage of using the capo is that it makes life easier.\u00a0Kids and guitarists with smaller hands can use a capo to make the distance between frets smaller. Thus, making the guitar easier to play.<\/p>\n<p>This is a viable alternative to getting a custom-made guitar or having to search for a decent small-scale guitar.<\/p>\n<p>Using a capo at the 1st or 2nd fret will create the same effect as having a smaller guitar, since it acts as a moveable nut.\u00a0 This permits more comfortable guitar playing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/how-to-hold-a-guitar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sitting<\/a>. The frets are closer together, making everything easier on the fretting hand (left hand).<\/p>\n<p>When playing with others, however, we\u2019d need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/tune-guitar-by-ear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tune the guitar<\/a> lower (so the note we play is the actual note on the page) or remove the capo.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Do You Need a Capo?<\/h2>\n<p>If any of the reasons above sound attractive to you, then, by all means, get one.<\/p>\n<p>Guitar capos are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by in music stores <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2yfRMg9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">and online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If someone wants to get you a guitar-related gift, this would be a good one. Likewise, if you know a guitarist, a capo is generally a safe bet for a gift.<\/p>\n<p>A guitar capo is especially useful for a beginner guitarist. Using a capo allows them to use a familiar chord shape on a higher fret, rather than playing more challenging barre chords with one finger (i.e. the index finger) held down on all six strings.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re in a rut or need some excitement in your practice, this could also be something to try. A little novelty can \u201cgrease the skids\u201d and get us back in action.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cWhat Style of Capo Should I Get? (there are so many\u2026)\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>There are a few different types of capos on the market. But they all have a few things in common: they completely encircle the neck, with a rubber covered bar (a thin strip of rubber) that clamps down on all the strings.<\/p>\n<p>One pitfall to avoid when you use a capo is the fret buzz that sometimes occurs. This can be avoided by clamping the capo close to the edge of the fret, and ensuring that the capo&#8217;s handle has a tight enough grip on all of the strings. (A &#8220;trigger capo&#8221; can be a great solution to this as well.)<\/p>\n<p>If you play classical guitar, you\u2019ll need a classical guitar capo.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarshed.com\/classical-guitar-for-guitarists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steel-string acoustic guitars and electric guitars<\/a> have narrower necks than nylon-string classical guitars. Most capos fit these narrower necks.<\/p>\n<p>So be sure to get a larger one made for classical guitars.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>IMPORTANT: Guitar capos come in different sizes. Make sure to get a classical guitar capo if you play classical guitar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Besides that, it doesn\u2019t matter. Any capo should do the job, so the best capo comes down to price, aesthetics, and availability.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Regardless if you play classical guitar, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar, you can rest assured that whichever guitar capo you choose will hold down your strings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the seduction of guitar gizmos. Electric guitar gets to play with loads of pedals and effects. We classical (and acoustic guitar) players don\u2019t have many accessories. But we do have a few. One such gizmo is the capo. What is a Capo? A capo is a device that clamps onto a guitar neck to shorten the string length. Imagine &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26486,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,434],"tags":[17,363,362],"class_list":["post-26484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-main-content-parent","tag-gear","tag-general-guitar","tag-left-hand-technique"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.8 (Yoast SEO v25.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Classical Guitar with a Capo - Start using a capo today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a Capo? What does it do? Click here for the answers to all of your capo questions! Use it with Classical, Acoustic, and Electric Guitar. Free Video and more.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is a Capo? How and Why to Use a Capo on Guitar\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is a Capo? What does it do? Click here for the answers to all of your capo questions! Use it with Classical, Acoustic, and Electric Guitar. Free Video and more.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Classical Guitar Shed\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ClassicalGuitarShed\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-10-13T17:00:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-03-07T10:17:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"320\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Allen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@CLguitarshed\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CLguitarshed\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Allen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Classical Guitar with a Capo - Start using a capo today","description":"What is a Capo? What does it do? Click here for the answers to all of your capo questions! Use it with Classical, Acoustic, and Electric Guitar. Free Video and more.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What is a Capo? How and Why to Use a Capo on Guitar","og_description":"What is a Capo? What does it do? Click here for the answers to all of your capo questions! Use it with Classical, Acoustic, and Electric Guitar. Free Video and more.","og_url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/","og_site_name":"Classical Guitar Shed","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ClassicalGuitarShed\/","article_published_time":"2017-10-13T17:00:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-03-07T10:17:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":640,"height":320,"url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Allen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@CLguitarshed","twitter_site":"@CLguitarshed","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Allen","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/"},"author":{"name":"Allen","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#\/schema\/person\/85d09303adb38d43cdedd2033f6b016e"},"headline":"What is a Capo? How and Why to Use a Capo on Guitar","datePublished":"2017-10-13T17:00:07+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-07T10:17:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/"},"wordCount":1382,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg","keywords":["gear","general guitar","left hand technique"],"articleSection":["Articles","Main Content Parent"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/","url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/","name":"Classical Guitar with a Capo - Start using a capo today","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg","datePublished":"2017-10-13T17:00:07+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-07T10:17:23+00:00","description":"What is a Capo? What does it do? Click here for the answers to all of your capo questions! Use it with Classical, Acoustic, and Electric Guitar. Free Video and more.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/capo-640.jpg","width":640,"height":320,"caption":"classical guitar capo"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/capo\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What is a Capo? How and Why to Use a Capo on Guitar"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/","name":"Classical Guitar Shed","description":"Learn Classical Guitar Online with No Guesswork","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#organization"},"alternateName":"ClassicalGuitarShed","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#organization","name":"Classical Guitar Shed","url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/CGS-logo-black-400.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/CGS-logo-black-400.png","width":400,"height":192,"caption":"Classical Guitar Shed"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ClassicalGuitarShed\/","https:\/\/x.com\/CLguitarshed","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/classicalguitarshed\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/classicalguitarshed\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/ClassicalGuitarShed"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#\/schema\/person\/85d09303adb38d43cdedd2033f6b016e","name":"Allen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fd2cda6ac2676c1fa6a476f9338cd2d0c15e585829ea7de118320c6c9a977400?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fd2cda6ac2676c1fa6a476f9338cd2d0c15e585829ea7de118320c6c9a977400?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Allen"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com","https:\/\/x.com\/CLguitarshed"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26484"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207547,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26484\/revisions\/207547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/classicalguitarshed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}