A capo is a clamp with which you can change the pitch of the open
guitar strings, simply by placing the clamp behind different frets
on the fingerboard. With a capo, you can change the key of any song
quite easily. I love to use a capo, for a number of reasons.
The thing I do most on the acoustic guitar is play old-time fiddle
tunes. Many fiddle tunes are played by fiddlers in the keys of A
and D. However, when picking these tunes on a guitar, they sound
the best, and are played most easily, in the keys of G and C. Now
say that I wanted to jam with a fiddle player who wanted to play
"Black-Eyed Susie" in the key of D. I would want to alternately
play back-up for him while he played the lead, and then play lead
on the guitar while he backed me up on the fiddle. All I would need
to do to accommodate his key (D), yet play with the same fingering
that I am used to (in the key of C), is to place a capo behind the
second fret of the fingerboard. We would then be playing in the key
of D, but I'd be using the fingering I always use when playing in
the key of C without the capo. If he was playing in the key of A, I
could keep the capo on the second fret and play the tune as I had
learned it in G.
By using the capo, you can more easily play with musicians who play in
keys that are different from the ones you are used to. However, I
like to use the capo (usually behind the second fret and sometimes
behind the fourth fret) even when I play the guitar all by myself.
One reason is that the higher pitch allows the separation of the
individual notes to be heard more clearly. Each note seems to ring
out a bit more crisply and distinctly than it would at the lower
pitch. Another virtue of using a capo is the ease of playing. The
higher on the fretboard you use the capo, the less distance between
each fret, so your fingers don't have to stretch as far. And the
action becomes slightly lower, so the strings are easier to press
down. And, you don't have to place the capo way up the fretboard to
feel the difference. Just placing the capo behind the second fret
results in playing that is noticeably easier.
One caution is important to mention. Do not leave the capo on the
instrument when not playing it. The capo, when clamped on the neck,
holds the strings down on the fretboard and creates extra tension
on the neck and the top of the guitar. All acoustic guitars are
destined, at some point in time, to have problems due to the
tension of the strings. Why hasten the process by leaving a capo
clamped on your guitar?
As to the best capo to use, there are a number of different kinds.
I used to use the kind that is a bar with an elastic belt that is
adjustable. In recent years, I have found the Shubb capo to be the
best. It is easy to use, and clamps tightly and quickly behind any
fret. Check with your local guitar dealer and determine what is
best for you.
Capos make things much easier for the guitarist, and they provide
many benefits. If you have never used a capo, you owe it to
yourself to experiment with one!
Copyright © 2007 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
How to Use a Capo on the Guitar
The capo is a barre that clamps across the strings of your guitar in much the same way as your index finger does when you are playing a barre chord. It is usually made of rubber or metal and it is clamped to the guitar neck by means of an elastic band or a clamp.
The cheapest type of capo is basically an elastic band attached to a strip of rubber. It's probably best to buy a few at a time because they can get stolen and lost, or simply wear out. The good thing is that you can carry it in your pocket, and quickly put it on your guitar when it is needed.
If you are reading this then you are probably wandering how the notes are altered by a capo on the guitar. The capo raises the key you are playing in without you having to learn more chords or to get an arrangement of a song in another key.
Let's say you are playing a song in G using the G, C, and D chords. If you put the capo on the second fret the song would now be in the key of A with the chords A, D and E.
Basically all your chord shapes are the same with the capo but if you have the capo on the second fret, the sound is a half note higher than the guitar without the capo. So it's really just like putting a barre across the strings with your index finger except that with the capo your index finger is now free to play notes.
Another common question about the capo is whether it is possible to barre only some of the strings. The answer is yes, you can buy capos to use on the third, fourth and fifth strings or the second, third and fourth strings. Using this kind of capo is just another way of producing and effect like an alternate tuning.
Guitarists who are not using the capo as a way of changing key for a singer sometimes use a capo to vary the pitch of the guitar simply to provide variety in their guitar's sound. If you play some songs without the capo and some songs withe the capo at the third fret and some with the capo at the fifth or the seventh fret your audience is less likely to allow your music to fade into the background. A well-known example of this is George Harrison's use of the capo at the seventh fret on If I Needed Someone and Here Comes The Sun.
The cheapest type of capo is basically an elastic band attached to a strip of rubber. It's probably best to buy a few at a time because they can get stolen and lost, or simply wear out. The good thing is that you can carry it in your pocket, and quickly put it on your guitar when it is needed.
If you are reading this then you are probably wandering how the notes are altered by a capo on the guitar. The capo raises the key you are playing in without you having to learn more chords or to get an arrangement of a song in another key.
Let's say you are playing a song in G using the G, C, and D chords. If you put the capo on the second fret the song would now be in the key of A with the chords A, D and E.
Basically all your chord shapes are the same with the capo but if you have the capo on the second fret, the sound is a half note higher than the guitar without the capo. So it's really just like putting a barre across the strings with your index finger except that with the capo your index finger is now free to play notes.
Another common question about the capo is whether it is possible to barre only some of the strings. The answer is yes, you can buy capos to use on the third, fourth and fifth strings or the second, third and fourth strings. Using this kind of capo is just another way of producing and effect like an alternate tuning.
Guitarists who are not using the capo as a way of changing key for a singer sometimes use a capo to vary the pitch of the guitar simply to provide variety in their guitar's sound. If you play some songs without the capo and some songs withe the capo at the third fret and some with the capo at the fifth or the seventh fret your audience is less likely to allow your music to fade into the background. A well-known example of this is George Harrison's use of the capo at the seventh fret on If I Needed Someone and Here Comes The Sun.
Choosing a Good Guitar Capo
So you have decided to learn guitar, and went out and bought an instrument. You know a handful of chords already, and can strum and sing a few easy guitar songs. But all of a sudden you come across a song that's out of your vocal range and therefore requires a capo (pronounced kay-po). What the heck is a capo, how does one use it? Read on to learn how.
A capo is a metal bar that is clamped across the fingerboard of all six guitar strings, which raises the pitch of all the strings uniformly. It functions much like the nut of the guitar, except that it is movable. It essentially lets you use the same chord shapes to play in different keys.
Lets say that you only knew the chords G, C, and D. Play a G chord on the guitar and a G chord on the piano and two will sound fine together. However, what if the piano wants to play the chords, A, D and E. Put a capo on the third fret, and then use the same G, C, and D chord forms. Though it will look like you are playing in the key of G the chords will sound like they are in A because the capo has raised the pitch of the strings due to it being clamped at the third fret. Make sense?
Capos come in a few different configurations, lets take a look at them.
Trigger Capos
Trigger capos are made by companies like Kyser and Dunlop. They maintain clamping pressure by a powerful metal spring mechanism. The tension on these capos is not adjustable; you open the capo, place it where you want, and it clamps down. As a result they will sometimes pull all the strings sharp. They are very fast to use and place on different frets, just squeeze it with one hand, move it, and let go. A lot of guitarists that change capos mid song like them for that reason. They are a bit bulkier than other types, so if you want a slim unobtrusive capo this may not be the one for you.
Adjustable Tension Capos
Adjustable tension capos allow you to vary the amount of tension that is placed on the strings when you clamp the capo down. Units like the Shubb Original and the John Pearse Ol Reliable are examples of adjustable tension capos. They use a screw mechanism on the back to vary the clamping tension. Thus it's very easy to find the exact amount for your particular guitar neck that will keep the strings clamped down, but not pull them out of tune. The John Pearse capo is nice because it can be hung between the fingerboard and the headstock when not in use. This is very useful if you tend to lose capos at a gig.
Hi Tech Capos
Over the past few years there have been a couple capos take a cool high tech approach. The G7 capo is the most notable of these, winning several awards for its design. It is variable in clamping pressure, but uses a hub and spring system instead of a tension screw. You squeeze it down onto the guitar neck and it clamps down with as much pressure as you give it. Pretty neat. Planet Waves makes a capo called the NS, for Ned Steinberger, who helped design it. It is very slim and unobtrusive. Tension adjusted by a small dial in the back. You place it in the desired location, and tighten the dial till it clamps down with enough pressure to keep the strings in tune.
Depending on the style of music you want to play, some capos may work better than others. So head on down to your local music store and check a few out.
A capo is a metal bar that is clamped across the fingerboard of all six guitar strings, which raises the pitch of all the strings uniformly. It functions much like the nut of the guitar, except that it is movable. It essentially lets you use the same chord shapes to play in different keys.
Lets say that you only knew the chords G, C, and D. Play a G chord on the guitar and a G chord on the piano and two will sound fine together. However, what if the piano wants to play the chords, A, D and E. Put a capo on the third fret, and then use the same G, C, and D chord forms. Though it will look like you are playing in the key of G the chords will sound like they are in A because the capo has raised the pitch of the strings due to it being clamped at the third fret. Make sense?
Capos come in a few different configurations, lets take a look at them.
Trigger Capos
Trigger capos are made by companies like Kyser and Dunlop. They maintain clamping pressure by a powerful metal spring mechanism. The tension on these capos is not adjustable; you open the capo, place it where you want, and it clamps down. As a result they will sometimes pull all the strings sharp. They are very fast to use and place on different frets, just squeeze it with one hand, move it, and let go. A lot of guitarists that change capos mid song like them for that reason. They are a bit bulkier than other types, so if you want a slim unobtrusive capo this may not be the one for you.
Adjustable Tension Capos
Adjustable tension capos allow you to vary the amount of tension that is placed on the strings when you clamp the capo down. Units like the Shubb Original and the John Pearse Ol Reliable are examples of adjustable tension capos. They use a screw mechanism on the back to vary the clamping tension. Thus it's very easy to find the exact amount for your particular guitar neck that will keep the strings clamped down, but not pull them out of tune. The John Pearse capo is nice because it can be hung between the fingerboard and the headstock when not in use. This is very useful if you tend to lose capos at a gig.
Hi Tech Capos
Over the past few years there have been a couple capos take a cool high tech approach. The G7 capo is the most notable of these, winning several awards for its design. It is variable in clamping pressure, but uses a hub and spring system instead of a tension screw. You squeeze it down onto the guitar neck and it clamps down with as much pressure as you give it. Pretty neat. Planet Waves makes a capo called the NS, for Ned Steinberger, who helped design it. It is very slim and unobtrusive. Tension adjusted by a small dial in the back. You place it in the desired location, and tighten the dial till it clamps down with enough pressure to keep the strings in tune.
Depending on the style of music you want to play, some capos may work better than others. So head on down to your local music store and check a few out.
How to Play Electric Guitar
If you've always wanted to learn how to play electric guitar, but didn't know where to start, you might be surprised at how easy it can be.
You may have already decided that the electric guitar is the way you want to go, as opposed to an acoustic guitar. If not, just be aware that the electric guitar requires an amplifier to be heard, so there can be a little more of an investment of the front end.
Here is a quick list of things you will need to play electric guitar:
1. Guitar - (Duh!) Take some time to shop around. Visit your local music store, and look around online. There are some nice package deals out there for under $200.
2. Amplifier - Amps, like guitars, come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. If you're just starting out, shoot for getting an amp in a package deal (as described above) until you know that you are going to stick with it.
3. Cable - You will need a decent cable to plug from the guitar to the amp. Again, package deals usually include these.
4. Tuner - A good digital tuner is a must and they are inexpensive, often under $20 or less. They can also be found in many package deals.
5. Gig Bag - Nylon gig bags are a great investment when you are traveling with your guitar to take lessons or jam with some friends.
6. Picks - Although guitar picks come in various shapes and thicknesses, start out with a standard shape medium pick. These provide enough flexibility for strumming, but also are rigid enough for single not picking.
7. Lessons - Grab a book, sign up at the local music store, or enroll in an online program - but save yourself a lot of time and frustration in the beginning by getting some kind of lessons under your belt.
Learn your first chord
Here is a great first chord to get started on. It's the "E" major chord, and because most guitars are tuned to E standard, this is a good one to learn early in the game:
E--------0------
B--------0------
G--------1------
D--------2------
A--------2------
E--------0------
Now you've got your gear checklist, and your first chord - so jump on in there!
You may have already decided that the electric guitar is the way you want to go, as opposed to an acoustic guitar. If not, just be aware that the electric guitar requires an amplifier to be heard, so there can be a little more of an investment of the front end.
Here is a quick list of things you will need to play electric guitar:
1. Guitar - (Duh!) Take some time to shop around. Visit your local music store, and look around online. There are some nice package deals out there for under $200.
2. Amplifier - Amps, like guitars, come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. If you're just starting out, shoot for getting an amp in a package deal (as described above) until you know that you are going to stick with it.
3. Cable - You will need a decent cable to plug from the guitar to the amp. Again, package deals usually include these.
4. Tuner - A good digital tuner is a must and they are inexpensive, often under $20 or less. They can also be found in many package deals.
5. Gig Bag - Nylon gig bags are a great investment when you are traveling with your guitar to take lessons or jam with some friends.
6. Picks - Although guitar picks come in various shapes and thicknesses, start out with a standard shape medium pick. These provide enough flexibility for strumming, but also are rigid enough for single not picking.
7. Lessons - Grab a book, sign up at the local music store, or enroll in an online program - but save yourself a lot of time and frustration in the beginning by getting some kind of lessons under your belt.
Learn your first chord
Here is a great first chord to get started on. It's the "E" major chord, and because most guitars are tuned to E standard, this is a good one to learn early in the game:
E--------0------
B--------0------
G--------1------
D--------2------
A--------2------
E--------0------
Now you've got your gear checklist, and your first chord - so jump on in there!
How to Play Guitar Lessons
I remember when I first started to play the guitar. I was fourteen years old. For years I had toyed with the idea, but never took it seriously.
My dad played guitar before I was born and I always grew up hearing him play. He made it look so easy. When I started learning, ironically he wasn't around at the time, so I was on my own.
I never considered formal lessons because my mom couldn't afford it. So I started learning from friends and magazines. This is the main point that I want to bring out to you, so listen carefully.
Initially, I would pick a song and learn it from tab. I could play! It was great because I was playing all those songs I loved. Only, I really wasn't playing them, because I'd rarely ever learn more than just the introduction or a solo.
Now I could play the solo, and play it good, but that was it, I didn't fool with things like backup riffs or rhythm. Just the intro and the solo.
Then Things Changed
Eventually I realized that there was more to the song than just ripping a solo. So I started learning the other parts. Again though, I was learning where to put my fingers, without really knowing what I was doing. It sounded good, but if you asked me to just make up a song, or make up a solo, I couldn't do it.
Then the light bulb turned on. I realized that the music was related - the chords I was playing and the scales I was playing were things I could learn and use them whenever I wanted to!
That is when my playing really took off. I learned the 'theory' that people are so scared of. It wasn't just book knowledge though, it was 'how to use it'. When you learn the theory, you learn how to use it in your music and it gives you more options.
Sure, you can learn a lot on your own, but it'll take you longer and you won't learn as much as if you had someone show you. That's why I recommend how to play guitar lessons, from someone who's been playing a variety of styles for years.
Ken Walker is a musician and graphics designer. He is based in New Madison, OH and creates promotional content for clients around the world. Ken has been a musician for over 20 years and has taught students across the country with his how to play guitar lessons.
You can learn more about Ken's guitar experience and how to play guitar lessons on his site.
My dad played guitar before I was born and I always grew up hearing him play. He made it look so easy. When I started learning, ironically he wasn't around at the time, so I was on my own.
I never considered formal lessons because my mom couldn't afford it. So I started learning from friends and magazines. This is the main point that I want to bring out to you, so listen carefully.
Initially, I would pick a song and learn it from tab. I could play! It was great because I was playing all those songs I loved. Only, I really wasn't playing them, because I'd rarely ever learn more than just the introduction or a solo.
Now I could play the solo, and play it good, but that was it, I didn't fool with things like backup riffs or rhythm. Just the intro and the solo.
Then Things Changed
Eventually I realized that there was more to the song than just ripping a solo. So I started learning the other parts. Again though, I was learning where to put my fingers, without really knowing what I was doing. It sounded good, but if you asked me to just make up a song, or make up a solo, I couldn't do it.
Then the light bulb turned on. I realized that the music was related - the chords I was playing and the scales I was playing were things I could learn and use them whenever I wanted to!
That is when my playing really took off. I learned the 'theory' that people are so scared of. It wasn't just book knowledge though, it was 'how to use it'. When you learn the theory, you learn how to use it in your music and it gives you more options.
Sure, you can learn a lot on your own, but it'll take you longer and you won't learn as much as if you had someone show you. That's why I recommend how to play guitar lessons, from someone who's been playing a variety of styles for years.
Ken Walker is a musician and graphics designer. He is based in New Madison, OH and creates promotional content for clients around the world. Ken has been a musician for over 20 years and has taught students across the country with his how to play guitar lessons.
You can learn more about Ken's guitar experience and how to play guitar lessons on his site.
Acoustic Vs Electric Guitar - Which is the Better Choice?
So you've decided to learn to play guitar songs. Congratulations. Welcome to the world of guitar playing. Here comes the difficult part. What type of guitar should you start with? Well, it all depends on the genre of music you intend to play and what skill level you're at and want to be at when you're done learning.
First, learn the differences between electric and acoustic guitars. The biggest difference is that the electric guitar needs to be attached to an amplifier in order to be heard clearly and loudly. On the other hand, acoustic guitars are heard loudly enough without using an amplifier. Acoustic guitars produce their own sound because they have sound holes, but electric guitars do not have a sound hole. Because of the lack of a sound hole, electric guitars can be heard by the person playing the guitar but not by others further away.
There are certain electric guitars which contain little sound holes, which make it possible to play them with or without the amplifier at an audible sound level, which are called semi-hollow body guitars.
Next, we shall discuss the determinants of which guitar to choose. Depending on the music you like, you might want to choose one over the other. Choosing the wrong guitar for the kind of music you wish to play could lead to frustration and an urge to just give up on it.
So for example, if you enjoy listening to harder rock, like metal, alternative, modern, scream, then investing in a regular electric guitar with an amplifier would be a good decision. On the other hand, if you like rock music which can be either played acoustically and electrically, or if the songs you listen to take advantage of both acoustic and electric guitar tricks, then you would be better off getting a semi-hollow body guitar. Then again, if you're more into country, then you would be much happier with an acoustic guitar.
The next logical question to ask yourself would be, what type of music would I like to play? Well, as before, it depends on what you want to play, for example, if you're a hardcore rock fan, but you've always wanted to learn to play mellower, relaxing acoustic songs, then get an acoustic guitar. Although, if you're a huge fan of lighter rock music or country, but you've always wanted to play hardcore rock and metal songs, the investing in an electric guitar or a semi-hollow body guitar would be the best choice you could make.
Next, how high of a skill level are you trying to attain when it comes to playing guitar songs. If you wish to play the guitar leisurely and don't really care if you don't master the guitar, then you should get an electric guitar. If you are really serious about becoming a guitar pro, then start with an acoustic because it is a more accurate way of learning how to play guitar for beginners. The transition from an acoustic to an electric guitar is easy based on the fact that electric guitars have thinner strings than acoustic guitars which makes is slightly easier to hold down.
Lastly, the guitar program you choose will also have a big impact on which guitar you should get. Some guitar programs teach based on the electric guitar lessons and some teach based on the acoustic guitar lessons. Most "how to learn to play guitar for beginners" programs show you how to use both but you don't want to get stuck with the wrong program.
Check out my squidoo page to find out what is the best guitar program. The one I recommend seems to be the best and most convenient "how to learn to play guitar for beginners" program I have seen so far.
First, learn the differences between electric and acoustic guitars. The biggest difference is that the electric guitar needs to be attached to an amplifier in order to be heard clearly and loudly. On the other hand, acoustic guitars are heard loudly enough without using an amplifier. Acoustic guitars produce their own sound because they have sound holes, but electric guitars do not have a sound hole. Because of the lack of a sound hole, electric guitars can be heard by the person playing the guitar but not by others further away.
There are certain electric guitars which contain little sound holes, which make it possible to play them with or without the amplifier at an audible sound level, which are called semi-hollow body guitars.
Next, we shall discuss the determinants of which guitar to choose. Depending on the music you like, you might want to choose one over the other. Choosing the wrong guitar for the kind of music you wish to play could lead to frustration and an urge to just give up on it.
So for example, if you enjoy listening to harder rock, like metal, alternative, modern, scream, then investing in a regular electric guitar with an amplifier would be a good decision. On the other hand, if you like rock music which can be either played acoustically and electrically, or if the songs you listen to take advantage of both acoustic and electric guitar tricks, then you would be better off getting a semi-hollow body guitar. Then again, if you're more into country, then you would be much happier with an acoustic guitar.
The next logical question to ask yourself would be, what type of music would I like to play? Well, as before, it depends on what you want to play, for example, if you're a hardcore rock fan, but you've always wanted to learn to play mellower, relaxing acoustic songs, then get an acoustic guitar. Although, if you're a huge fan of lighter rock music or country, but you've always wanted to play hardcore rock and metal songs, the investing in an electric guitar or a semi-hollow body guitar would be the best choice you could make.
Next, how high of a skill level are you trying to attain when it comes to playing guitar songs. If you wish to play the guitar leisurely and don't really care if you don't master the guitar, then you should get an electric guitar. If you are really serious about becoming a guitar pro, then start with an acoustic because it is a more accurate way of learning how to play guitar for beginners. The transition from an acoustic to an electric guitar is easy based on the fact that electric guitars have thinner strings than acoustic guitars which makes is slightly easier to hold down.
Lastly, the guitar program you choose will also have a big impact on which guitar you should get. Some guitar programs teach based on the electric guitar lessons and some teach based on the acoustic guitar lessons. Most "how to learn to play guitar for beginners" programs show you how to use both but you don't want to get stuck with the wrong program.
Check out my squidoo page to find out what is the best guitar program. The one I recommend seems to be the best and most convenient "how to learn to play guitar for beginners" program I have seen so far.
How to Read Guitar Tabs
Have you ever wanted to relax at home and play your favorite guitar songs with ease? Then, just learn the guitar tab for those songs and learn the basics of guitar playing (if you haven't already). A guitar tab, or tablature, is a great way for experienced guitarists to quickly learn new songs or for beginners to learn how to play. A guitar tab is basically a diagram which shows the guitar strings and the frets where the player must play the specific notes identified by numbers. Using a tab is much easier and quicker to learn the song, then using traditional sheet music notation.
When searching for tabs for the guitar online, the amount of variety available will shock you. Tabs for the guitar are meant to essentially supply the basic accompaniment for the song. Also, guitar tabs are used to give you the notes for any distinctive melody in the song. Guitar tabs are often fingerstyle arrangements of songs and these won't be available in regular music stores or in the normal online music sources. Fingerstyle arrangements are able to give you a little bit of added depth to your guitar playing skills.
The major downside of using tabs for the guitar is that the rhythm is almost impossible to learn from the tab itself. In order to make up for this, you will probably have to listen to the song several times and have a strumming pattern. Although, the big advantage of using guitar tabs can be utilized by electric guitar players. The advantage is that they don't have to actually have to set up their guitar and amp.
When searching for tabs for the guitar online, the amount of variety available will shock you. Tabs for the guitar are meant to essentially supply the basic accompaniment for the song. Also, guitar tabs are used to give you the notes for any distinctive melody in the song. Guitar tabs are often fingerstyle arrangements of songs and these won't be available in regular music stores or in the normal online music sources. Fingerstyle arrangements are able to give you a little bit of added depth to your guitar playing skills.
The major downside of using tabs for the guitar is that the rhythm is almost impossible to learn from the tab itself. In order to make up for this, you will probably have to listen to the song several times and have a strumming pattern. Although, the big advantage of using guitar tabs can be utilized by electric guitar players. The advantage is that they don't have to actually have to set up their guitar and amp.
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