Capos and why?
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Silence Kid
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Re: Capos and why?
To change the key but retain open fingering for chords. I avoid them wherever I can.
To change the key but retain open fingering for chords. I avoid them wherever I can.
Mr. B
New member
Re: Capos and why?
You leave the guitar in standard tuning. Moving the capo up fret by fret will change the key you are playing in. Useful if your singer hits notes better in a different key. You can't really do string bending with a capo on. I only use one while I check the neck relief when setting up a guitar.
You leave the guitar in standard tuning. Moving the capo up fret by fret will change the key you are playing in. Useful if your singer hits notes better in a different key. You can't really do string bending with a capo on. I only use one while I check the neck relief when setting up a guitar.
Lazarus1140
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Re: Capos and why?
It is typically not about tuning to an open chord.
1. If you know a song in a certain key and for a new singer or for any other reason want or need to play the same chord forms in a new key a capo is useful.
2. The capo also allows you to play in the same key using completely different chord shapes elsewhere on the neck ... creating unexpected and therefore unique sounds. For example, with the capo at the 7th fret you can play a G using the cowboy chord C shape with the ring finger on the A string 10th fret and it just sounds like something that has not been played a million times. And yes, you can do the same thing with a barre chord but with less ability (due to one less finger) to throw in a little riffage or whatever.
3. A capo is also useful if you decide to go insane due to whammy bar use related tuning issues.
It is typically not about tuning to an open chord.
1. If you know a song in a certain key and for a new singer or for any other reason want or need to play the same chord forms in a new key a capo is useful.
2. The capo also allows you to play in the same key using completely different chord shapes elsewhere on the neck ... creating unexpected and therefore unique sounds. For example, with the capo at the 7th fret you can play a G using the cowboy chord C shape with the ring finger on the A string 10th fret and it just sounds like something that has not been played a million times. And yes, you can do the same thing with a barre chord but with less ability (due to one less finger) to throw in a little riffage or whatever.
3. A capo is also useful if you decide to go insane due to whammy bar use related tuning issues.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Capos and why?
I use one on my acoustic guitars a lot.
Not because I don’t know enough chords to be able to play in any key, but so I can get the sound of open strings in any key.
I also play a lot in open tunings like open D, E, G and A, and DADGAD.
Sometimes I’ll write a song in G but then want to play it in B flat for a particular sound or resonance or because it sounds better. So I’ll put the capo across the third fret and when I finger what looks like a G chord with the D, G and B strings ringing open, it’ll be a B flat chord.
I use one on my acoustic guitars a lot.
Not because I don’t know enough chords to be able to play in any key, but so I can get the sound of open strings in any key.
I also play a lot in open tunings like open D, E, G and A, and DADGAD.
Sometimes I’ll write a song in G but then want to play it in B flat for a particular sound or resonance or because it sounds better. So I’ll put the capo across the third fret and when I finger what looks like a G chord with the D, G and B strings ringing open, it’ll be a B flat chord.
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Plessure
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Re: Capos and why?
What do you mean "sound of open strings"? Why would this be the case?
As far as i can tell, the capo is nothing like the nut. The capo is more similar to finger fretting, but with a different material than flesh. Open strings sound different because the nut is different from frets, not because they are the lowest notes playable. If the lowest notes playable on the strings are played by fretting, there is no open string sound. And a capo does fret. It's just a more static fretting and with some plastic and cloth or whatever instead of fingers. It is in fact even more fretting-y than a zero fret, because it pushes down.
What do you mean "sound of open strings"? Why would this be the case?
As far as i can tell, the capo is nothing like the nut. The capo is more similar to finger fretting, but with a different material than flesh. Open strings sound different because the nut is different from frets, not because they are the lowest notes playable. If the lowest notes playable on the strings are played by fretting, there is no open string sound. And a capo does fret. It's just a more static fretting and with some plastic and cloth or whatever instead of fingers. It is in fact even more fretting-y than a zero fret, because it pushes down.
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Capos and why?
Check out some bluegrass flat pickers and it’ll make more sense.
Check out some bluegrass flat pickers and it’ll make more sense.
Godin15
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Lewguitar
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Plessure
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Re: Capos and why?
As in, i spent too much effort pointing out your error and now you're trying to shift the attention to this instead of admitting your error?
It's very human.
As in, i spent too much effort pointing out your error and now you're trying to shift the attention to this instead of admitting your error?
It's very human.
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Capos and why?
As in you’re being obstinate for the sake of being obstinate. A capo may not be exactly the same as a nut, but it’s certainly harder than fingers and it stays stable, which fingers don’t do. Besides, open strings are more than a sound, they’re a style as well... a place to which you can do pull-offs or from which you can do hammer-ons. Many acoustic styles require an open string or two to maintain a drone sound, and the typical “cowboy chords” just don’t sound the same when you try to duplicate the shape by using ONLY your fingers.
I personally only use one for acoustic playing, and even then only when it’s absolutely necessary, but there’s no doubt that it’s a very handy tool.
As in you’re being obstinate for the sake of being obstinate. A capo may not be exactly the same as a nut, but it’s certainly harder than fingers and it stays stable, which fingers don’t do. Besides, open strings are more than a sound, they’re a style as well... a place to which you can do pull-offs or from which you can do hammer-ons. Many acoustic styles require an open string or two to maintain a drone sound, and the typical “cowboy chords” just don’t sound the same when you try to duplicate the shape by using ONLY your fingers.
I personally only use one for acoustic playing, and even then only when it’s absolutely necessary, but there’s no doubt that it’s a very handy tool.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Capos and why?
There is one fairly big difference. If you bar a chord when you remove your hand all the notes die out instantly, open strings don't. This creates less empty space, which is especially important when one guitar is the only instrument.
There is one fairly big difference. If you bar a chord when you remove your hand all the notes die out instantly, open strings don't. This creates less empty space, which is especially important when one guitar is the only instrument.
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Plessure
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Re: Capos and why?
He was talking "open string sound". I made the logical interpretation of this expression. If it was about playability, that phrase would be misleading.
I must try comparing capo to bar chords and see if you're right about stability. I would think most of "open string sound" comes from the different material and height of string resting points. Isn't hand stability a goal in playing anyways? I feel that maybe it's unfair to use poor technique as a reference point.
Wrong is what obstinacy is for!
He was talking "open string sound". I made the logical interpretation of this expression. If it was about playability, that phrase would be misleading.
I must try comparing capo to bar chords and see if you're right about stability. I would think most of "open string sound" comes from the different material and height of string resting points. Isn't hand stability a goal in playing anyways? I feel that maybe it's unfair to use poor technique as a reference point.
Wrong is what obstinacy is for!
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Plessure
Guest
Re: Capos and why?
Are you saying that a note fretted by a capo is and rings like an open note, or are you just barking?
Are you saying that a note fretted by a capo is and rings like an open note, or are you just barking?
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