Capo Question |
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Feb 18 2010, 09:17 AM
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The capo changes the key of open chords. If you play a barre chord it won't matter if you use a capo or not, but playing open chords (chords that involve open strings, that is, unfretted strings) will differ.
Think of the capo as a "moving nut". wherever you place the capo, there's your guitar nut. -------------------- Guitars:
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Feb 18 2010, 04:17 PM
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QUOTE (JCJXXL @ Feb 18 2010, 02:50 PM)  I understand that. But let's say for example I am learning a song and the original has a capo on the first fret. And for example we'll say the chord progression is D-A-Bm-G-E (just making this up). If I wanted to play this song WITHOUT the capo do I use the same chord shapes or do the chord shapes change because I'm not using the capo? I've always thought you play the same chord progression, it's just now in a different key. If you are playing a D with a capo in the first fret then you are adding a semitone (half step) to all notes in that chord. You are playing "half-step" up. So its' not a D chord anymore, even though the chord shape you are using is the same as when you play a D without the capo. For instance playing an E chord with the capo on the first fret is actually an F. That's why the F chord needs a barre when playing without a capo. Just check it yourself, watch your finger positions. If you play the same chord progression without the capo it will sound good too, because all chords are decreasing half-step, but it won't be in the same key anymore, it will be half-step down because you are not using the capo anymore. People use the capo because it's an easy way to play known open chords and be able to sing in a more appropiate key for their voice. So you have two options: play the same chord progression without the capo (that will change the key the song is played in), or find the chord shapes you need to use to play those chords without using the capo. This post has been edited by Fran: Feb 18 2010, 04:20 PM -------------------- Guitars:
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ibanez RG2570MZ, Epiphone SG G-400 Amp: Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab Effects: Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70 Recording: Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D GMC wants YOU to take part in our Guitar-Wikipedia! Have a good time reading great articles and writing your own with us in our GUITAR WIKI! Share your playing and get Pro-advice from our Instructors: Join REC |
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Feb 19 2010, 12:53 AM
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Your progression is modulating, lets take easier example: C-Am
 If the capo is on the first fret, and you are playing open C-Am shapes, it wouldn't be C-Am anymore, it would be C#-A#m. So you effectively transposed the piece into C# major key (instead of C major) by just changing the fret you are playing on. The capo makes up for open strings, and effectively makes the first fret as the "nut fret". -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
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Feb 19 2010, 09:10 AM
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Just be careful if you sing, because singing in a different key might not suit your voice
-------------------- Guitars:
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ibanez RG2570MZ, Epiphone SG G-400 Amp: Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab Effects: Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70 Recording: Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D GMC wants YOU to take part in our Guitar-Wikipedia! Have a good time reading great articles and writing your own with us in our GUITAR WIKI! Share your playing and get Pro-advice from our Instructors: Join REC |
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Feb 27 2010, 04:04 PM
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QUOTE (Fran @ Feb 19 2010, 09:10 AM) Just be careful if you sing, because singing in a different key might not suit your voice and standard open strings might not be suitable for anyone to sing over them too! so that can be a good use for the capo....just place where it feels better for your voice and keep the same finger position. -------------------- Visit my:
INSTRUCTOR PROFILE "If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music." Gustav Mahler Subscribe to my Youtube Channel here |
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Mar 7 2010, 06:56 PM
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Maybe you should start carrying capo around with you - same as you do with guitar picks
QUOTE (JCJXXL @ Feb 19 2010, 04:42 AM) I REALLY appreciate all of the help guys! I feel dumb asking some questions sometimes, so when I eventually get the guts to ask and I get great help it's very much appreciated
I understand the Capo changes the key/tonality I guess I was just confused about playing a song without the capo if it would change my chords. But from what I understand it doesn't. The key/tonality is changed. That's all. I've been spending a lot of time with the acoustic lately and although the capo is cool I would much rather play songs without the capo. It would suck to go somewhere with friends and someone hands you a guitar to play a song but you can't because you think you need the capo. -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
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Mar 8 2010, 01:44 AM
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Don't worry about the capo, you won't need one after you learn barre chords!
-------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
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