How to Use a Capo

Clamping a capo on the fingerboard of your guitar will let you instantly change the key of a song without having to learn new chords. This will come in handy if you accompany a singer whose vocal range is better suited for another key.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Capo
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitars
• Electronic Tuner For Guitars

1. Play a C chord on your guitar.
2. Put the capo between the first and seconds frets close to the second fret, but not directly on top of it.
3. Clamp or strap down the capo tight enough to make sure none of the strings are buzzing.
4. Play the C chord again. It has now moved up a half-tone to C#.
5. Move up the capo to the third fret. You are now playing in the key of D. Note how much brighter the same chord sounds in this position.
6. Move the capo up and down the fingerboard.
7. Notice the difference in sound depending on capo position. Determine which one sounds best to you.
8. Experiment. Play different chords using the capo. Find out the best key for your own vocal range.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are jamming with another guitarist, have one of you play the same key using a capo. It will make your music sound much more interesting than it would be with both guitars playing exactly the same chords! This is also very useful for Folk and Bluegrass performers.
• The plastic or metal clamp-on and screw-on types are higher priced, but hold the strings down better than the elastic band types. However, the elastic ones are less likely to scratch the neck of your guitar.
• Clamping and unclamping the capo can cause the strings to go out of tune. Check your tuning!