Capos and why?

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Capos and why?

So it sounds like I have some experimenting to do..;

Definitely recommended. Play around with it... you’ll start to get the hang of it and you’ll learn to develop an appreciation for its capabilities.

 

[Plessure]

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.

Yeah and if you remove the capo, the notes also cease being fretted. And if you bar a chord and don't remove your index finger, you are still fretting all the strings like a capo.

What you're essentially saying is that a capo frees a finger, which no one has objected to.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Capos and why?

Yeah and if you remove the capo, the notes also cease being fretted. And if you bar a chord and don't remove your index finger, you are still fretting all the strings like a capo.

First off, nobody removes a capo in the middle of a song, especially if they want to have strings droning in the background for fullness. Secondly, most of the times you change a bar chord you move the bar to a different fret, killing the open strings. Disregard the last comment if you have mastered the six fret unison bar slide on acoustic guitars.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Capos and why?

First off, nobody removes a capo in the middle of a song, especially if they want to have strings droning in the background for fullness. Secondly, most of the times you change a bar chord you move the bar to a different fret, killing the open strings. Disregard the last comment if you have mastered the six fret unison bar slide on acoustic guitars.

Yes, capos and bar chords are indeed different things.

Capo'd strings still are and sound like fretted strings, not open strings. They don't give the "sound of open strings" in all the keys. They give the playability of open strings in all the keys. Then, of course, playability affects sound as we're talking about a musical instrument...

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Capos and why?

A few more advantages of the capo:

It allows beginning players to play in every key without learning every bar chord.

It allows you to play a counter melody or rhythm 5 or 12 frets up without figuring out the bar chords, more points for being easy.

A custom capo is an excellent gift idea.

 

[BriGuy1968]

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!

Are you saying that a note fretted by a capo is and rings like an open note, or are you just barking?

Yeah and if you remove the capo, the notes also cease being fretted. And if you bar a chord and don't remove your index finger, you are still fretting all the strings like a capo.

What you're essentially saying is that a capo frees a finger, which no one has objected to.

Well two things should be pretty obvious here.

First is that you are obviously well above the rest of us who are willing to use such an arcane device to make up for our lack of talent.

Second is that three different people quoted the exact same thing that YOU said to tell you, basically, that they disagreed with you... and two of us made it fairly obvious that we found your words and delivery to be distasteful.

In regard to the first point, you might want to remember that this forum is a place where all levels of talent are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and seek knowledge.

Also, it seems like you might want to consider the ramifications of that second point if you want to make friends around here.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Capos and why?

Well two things should be pretty obvious here.

First is that you are obviously well above the rest of us who are willing to use such an arcane device to make up for our lack of talent.

Second is that three different people quoted the exact same thing that YOU said to tell you, basically, that they disagreed with you... and two of us made it fairly obvious that we found your words and delivery to be distasteful.

In regard to the first point, you might want to remember that this forum is a place where all levels of talent are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and seek knowledge.

Also, it seems like you might want to consider the ramifications of that second point if you want to make friends around here.

I didn't claim to be superior. I'm discussing the capo in a thread about the capo. Someone argued that fingers can't fret notes, or something. Technique became relevant. I would think we are all capable of fretting notes. It's not a point of bragging.

If you wanna chase bad guys, go at this constantly acerbic "AlexR" dude with six thousand posts, 1 likes given, all hate and zero argument.

My delivery was straight, not distasteful. Argument from majority is not an argument.

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Capos and why?

Capos: Capos allow you to transpose into a key which is easier to play in. For example: don't want to play a C#m7? capo up so you only have to play a G. Way more easy, Lifesaver for me sometimes.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Capos and why?

Okay. I've been attempting to play guitar for 41 years now and have yet to ask..why a capo? What is the advantage/application purpose of using a capo?:rocket:

You have three options:

1. Use a capo to change key.
2. Use a separate guitar for each key.
3. Tune to change key between songs.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Capos and why?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Capos and why?

I wonder if there's a forum somewhere that celebrates new folks being obnoxious.

To expand upon my earlier bluegrass comment, tons of bluegrass songs are in G. As a result, flat pickers tend to learn lots of runs incorporating that position and it's open strings and whatnot. If somebody wants to do a song in A, it's way easier to capo at the 2nd fret and treat it like you're still in G.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Capos and why?

If you wanna chase bad guys, go at this constantly acerbic "AlexR" dude with six thousand posts, 1 likes given, all hate and zero argument.
.

I merely held up a mirror to an attitude you had already displayed. Its amazing how quickly that gets the focus of some. You have certainly come in with a strident attitude of your own...as Briguy has mentioned, we've all taken note of it and responded in kind. You're in rarified company - there are not many who've garnered such a negative response as you since I've been here.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Capos and why?

Hey Alex, clearly you are the work of the devil. Check the facts:

 

[AlexR]

Re: Capos and why?

Aw......thanks for that great snapshot - didn't even realise 'it was the devil making me do it'.

Because now of course it will have ticked over to less evil numbers but that moment will be forever captured!!

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Capos and why?

I think capos are handy, and although I've never had the need to use one live I play around with ideas using them while recording. The fact is that I've lost more capos than I've used. Anyone care to dispute me on that point?

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Capos and why?

My goodness, we should change this threads title to "Capo War I"

 

[Mincer]

Re: Capos and why?

Simma Da Na.

I use a capo ocassionally on acoustic guitar for changing keys so I can use the chord voicings I want. Playing 2 or 3 songs in a row on an acoustic with barre chords isn't fun or interesting. I also use it when recording overdubs to get the correct voicing of the chords I want. I never use one on electric.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Capos and why?

I do the solo sing acoustic thing...I use capos all the time. And capoed notes sound just like open notes to me. But then again I've only been at this for 30+ years...wadda I know?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Capos and why?

I use capos alot! To my ears, some tunes sound better at a higher pitch/think a capo sounds good in certain situations.

Alternative uses for capos--save your "Cowboy chords" area's frets...or in the event those frets are already dished out just move up to the next frets and start wearing them out :fing2:

 

[TVFV]

Re: Capos and why?

I use capos because I'm lazy.