How to Use a Capo on Guitar

Introduction

• Presenter: Simon Candy
• Platform: Acoustic Guitar Lessons Online
• Purpose: Demonstrate how to use a capo effectively as a stylistic tool, not as a cheat.

Reasons to Use a Capo

1. Avoiding Bar Chords (for beginners only):

   • Temporarily use a capo to play open chords instead of bar chords.
   • Not recommended long-term; bar chords should be learned eventually.

2. Creative Choices:

   • Play in key with open chords when the key is not open chord-friendly (e.g., Capo at 3rd fret to play G, D, C instead of B flat, F, E flat).
   • Take advantage of open chord embellishments not possible with bar chords.

3. Multiple Guitarists:

   • Create contrasting sounds with one guitar playing open chords and another using capo for different chord shapes.

4. Key Changes for Singers:

   • Easily change the key without altering chord shapes to match a singer’s vocal range.

Understanding Perceived Key vs. Actual Key

• Perceived Key: What you see based on chord shapes.
• Actual Key: The sound you hear, adjusted for capos.
• Use basic music theory (musical alphabet) to determine actual key.

Musical Alphabet Recap

• Twelve tones: A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab.
• One shift in the alphabet equals one fret.

Determining Actual Key

• Example: Capo at 3rd fret, play in C.
  • Perceived Key = C
  • Actual Key = E flat (C + 3 frets)
• Method: Calculate by adding the number of frets from perceived key.

Using Capo for Open Chord Progressions

• Strategy: Capo goes up, chord goes down.
• Example:
  • Chord progression: B flat, E flat, F
  • Capo 1st fret: Use A major shapes
  • Capo 3rd fret: Use G major shapes
• Non-open chord friendly keys: Avoid capos that result in complex bar chords.

Additional Example

• Chord Progression: E flat
  • Capo 1st fret: Use D major chords
  • Capo 3rd fret: Use C major chords
  • Capo 6th fret: Use A major chords

Conclusion

• Understand the difference between perceived and actual keys.
• Learn various reasons and strategies for using a capo effectively.
• Explore additional resources for creative capo use.

Additional Resources

• Ebook: "10 Melodic Fingerpicking Patterns You Can Learn in 10 Minutes or Less"
• Contact: Suggestions for future videos are welcomed.

Closing

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