There is a case for the capo that you didn't mention, and that is for when you are playing with someone else. Even before you are comfortable playing lead lines and fills as a second guitar, you can change things up just by playing along in a different set of chords. So if your partner is going to play and sing a song in E you can Capo-2 and play D'shapes. The 2 different guitars will sound much fuller. I am a big fan of "The Other Favorites" and you will always see Carson strumming (say with D shapes) and singing while Josh is Capo'd 2 higher and finger picking (in this case C shapes). It just gives you access to different embellishments. And, it is a great motivation to learn how to transpose between 2 keys.
It was me 20 years ago thinking the "Capo is stupid just learn all the chords" Now I'm so happy to have gained all these new possibilities. Thank you for putting them so accurately in this video!
I really admire your teaching style Sean. You make ideas and examples very accessible. Excellent teacher and a great sense of humour! Cheers from Australia.
Multiple instruments playing in the same register of the sound spectrum will cause the sound from some of the instruments to get lost in the mix. I use a capo (usually in the 3rd or 5th fret) to get into a register that the other instruments aren’t playing in. This allows me to play open chords that will have a fuller sound as opposed to playing barre chords up the neck.
That’s why I started to learn other voicings for chords . It has taken me a long time to get there. But it’s a journey not a race. I have till the day I die to learn more. But this video has given me new reasons to use a capo
There is a case for using a Capo on the ninth or tenth fret for imitating a Mandolin. I often do this when playing Styx's Boat on a River. Also, this is where the Caged System shines when playing through each key chord.
Here's a valid way to use the capo as a crutch, but maybe it's better to call it a training wheel: First be aware that the distance between frets decreases at every step toward the sound hole. Now, if I'm learning a piece of music that has an uncomfortable finger stretch, I will capo up to where my fingers can easily make the stretch. I don't care what key that is. I practice the segment of the song over and over until I'm good at playing it. Then I move the capo one fret toward the nut and repeat the process. I keep iterating until I get it to the key I want to play in or until my hand just can't stretch any further.
I often use a capo when learning a song, to play it with the original recording using "C" chord-shapes (which are more intuitive for me). Then, I might transpose to a more comfortable key, for my vocal range or capo placement. BTW, I keep my guitar tuned down a whole step, and put the capo on the 2nd fret when I need to match standard tuning.
There are a lot of songs in E that I like to play on capo 2 in the D position. I like the tonal difference for some songs. Other songs I play in the open E. For Eb I like to capo 1, D position. I use this a lot when playing with other people so everyone doesn't have to tune down. Playing solo I tune down a half step and play standard on capo 1. Capos are a valuable tool. Great video and great explanation.
(5:09) You certainly can use the capo on 7th fret in "C" position. Mother Maybelle Carter basically invented using a capo on Country/Folk guitar in the 20's (it was a new invention at the time). She utilized it because her signature style revolved around playing the melody in the bass notes in "C" position. "Wildwood Flower" her signature song is capo on 7th fret using "C" position. It doesn't ring the same in standard "G" position and the 5 chord is high instead of low. Different positions allow the strings to ring open differently and allow for certain turnarounds etc. Bluegrass players of course transpose it to many keys/positions but the definitive version is 7th fret capo "C" position. A melody sits in the mix of notes differently using capo on different frets/positions of the same key.
Sean anytime you use the Capo,it changes your playing and gives you more melodic chords within the the Capo setting,I used it a lot,very inspiring tool..I love it just for creative ideas great for singer songwriters
For me, using capo is not a crutch at all. Its a powerful tool. Each fret you capo to has a unique tone. Using a capo sets your guitar into a diffeent register too that can maken it stand out in a band.
Well said, this is the primary reason I use a capo. I find the key of E is easier to play open. But I love the tonal qualities of capo 2, D forms for a lot of the songs I play.
I use a capo for singing. I find E flat bit easier so I transpose on the third fret, Once I transpose I can move the capo to a position that I can sing that day.
I have one song I recorded a number of years ago now where I wanted a sort of upbeat, jangly, maybe pop-y sound to the guitars so after laying down the open position chords I used a capo at the 4th fret and a different set of open chord shapes (on a different guitar) to play the same (root) chords and it came out as sparkly as I was hoping it would.
Buddy Holly frequently used a capo on the 5th of his Strat so that he could play in A using open E shapes to get the Tex-Mex rockabilly sound he wanted.
1:53 in, I’m already sold on this lesson. I have taught myself through this type of video. Straight to the point. You get a like on this one. Maybe your best yet. At this point, the capo is my best tool. Frets one, two and three get the job done for most songs out there. Sometimes a four works out.
Great video. I used to think using a capo was ‘cheating’ until recently when I have been watching lots of Mike Knopfler videos. MK uses a capo on many of his songs as it gives him the ability to pick ‘open’ strings rather than fretted strings resulting in a much fuller sound. So capos don’t just help in forming chords, they also help in picking melodies etc.
Indeed, a great example is Mark’s song, Romeo & Juliet on the infamous National O Style cone guitar (the one on the cover of the Brothers in Arms album), where the capo is on the 3rd fret, but with an open tuning. It sounds magnificent.
Using a capo is just another arrow in your quiver. It's a tool, a good one at that. Anything that inspires or otherwise helps you become a more creative and musically interesting player is a good thing. I have a Schubb in every guitar case. Not embarrassed in the least to use them.
I learned to play _"The Beatles" Here Comes The Sun"_ in order to play along with the record, I put the capo on the 7th fret. That's what George Harrison did as well 🤗 Sounds really good! And The song is in the key of *D* ..George also used a capo on the 2nd Fret for "My Sweet Lord", And he used the capo on the 3rd fret for "Give Me Love (Give me Peace on Earth).🤎🚶🏿♂🚶🏿🚶🏿♂🚶🏿♂🎸🌞
Don't look at it that way. "Music theory" is a life long process that nobody masters. Just keep playing songs and by the time you are good enough to use the theory, it will more or less be there, or it will become of interest to you. Theory is a good thing to learn but you don't have to know it to enjoy playing the guitar. Just keep playing and it will come.
Practical guide to capo use...as harmony teaching on the guitar, many personalist and dubious statements. Answer to the "sound of D major chord choices" could be drop low E string to D, open string ideas in D, for example, using a Dadd9, much easier with capo at II...calling G a "far key" from C based on the root on the fifth string is misuse of terms of near and far, which are usually used to refer to modulation, in which case the G is close...
There is a great fiddle tune played by guitar players in the key of Bb, with capo at 3rd fret. A fiddler or mando player needs to know it from the Bb scale, however. A mandolin doesn't typically use a capo. Norman Blake uses a capo on 3rd to play Elzic's Farewell. He seems to like that G scale fingering.
I learned a lot. Thank you. Your perspective of grouping chords by key is a great idea. It’s an obvious thing to do on the piano but not as much on the guitar.
Thank you so much I came across your video tonight cuz I wanted to learn about cables and I want a running so much more than I thought I could and finally have an understanding of music that I never understood before all these years of trying to get it and I actually wrote it new scriber and thank you very much look forward to watching yer backlog and see what else
I bring a capo to jams for friends who only know an handful of chords. It let's them join in on more of the fun. Thanks for keeping the sarcasm, Sean. It's appreciated.
I have almost no music theory, but as I've been learning more songs I've found the capo does usually land at 3 or 5, to get it into my vocal range with reasonable chord shapes. Also, I use the Tabs app and transpose if I have to go down instead of up, and then sometimes I may transpose -5 and then put a capo on 3, to get a -2, because it gives easier or fuller chord shapes. Like you said, getting into D-shapes can be easy, but they've got little bass.
Sean, you have convinced me to use my two real Glader capos that I convinced myself I wanted but was too proud to use because I'm a long-time capable player who, thought, just as you said How narrow-minded of me.
To the question of why to capo on 3rd fret: Sax and horn players love the keys of Bb and Eb - less sharps and flats for them since it transposes to the keys of C and F for them. They will appreciate it.
Hi, I have a fender villager 12 string acoustic guitar I love playing Billie Eilish stuff I use the capo on 3rd fret for most of her songs especially " Everything I Wanted "and"Bellyache" they sound great on a 12 string just love it and matches my voice when I sing I can hit the higher vocals. I think the capo is a great tool I use the Boston type I can also get close to the ukele sound as I also like playing Party Favor would be lost without my capo.🤩🤩🏴🏴
I think the point he is trying to make is that E flat doesn't lend itself well for standard tuning on the guitar so we tend to just tune down a half step and play manageable chord patterns.... Which is the same thing really.
Great practical breakdown Sean, well done. Maybe a primer or refresher on "whole whole half whole half half whole" and how and when that hot mess changes between minor and major or something like that?
I use capo most of the time between frets 1-7. As a sax player as well, I am used to having to transpose from the keys of Bb and Eb. Once you can do that in your head anything is easy!!!
This is a good video to move to the next level. If you you want to use a chord palette to emphasise certain lyrics which don’t sound good in a certain key the capo is key. No pun intended!! Or add open strings to emphasise some lyrics this is pro stuff it’s not always about shredding!
I remember my guitar teacher saying when i was a kid , that using a capo was for lazy guitarists , but as a single performer I came to realise the versatility the capo gave. It’s hard enough , playing using whilst playing harp in a neck brace and singing ,let alone trying to satisfy a small good of purists. Its all about sound in the end . Great ideas , thanks Shaun 🇦🇺scott
I always thought that the 3rd fret was a common capo position as it allowed guitarists to accompany music that included a Bb trumpet using the chords in the key of G
Bb and Eb are often best keys for high baritone singer. Once I met a fiddler who worked with the late George Jones. She told me she had to learn his entire repertoire in both Bb and B major keys, as he would decide on the day of the concert what his voice could handle better...
I was once told that "real" guitar players don't use a capo, but I have never believed that. The guy who told me that was a classical player, and I had somehow acquired an unradiused straight capo, so I offered it to him. I learned that it was an insult to a classical player, so I never made that mistake again. But for all other acoustic guitarists, a capo is a valuable tool. This was a very good, informative video that threw in a little theory, which was a bonus.
Capos are good when you play mostly open chords and few changes. As an example, i play a song 1 6 2 5 in A with a bars only there are two choruses (different patterns). The style of the song sounds best with bars. It also has descending runs that complicates transposing with a capo. Info only. I use capos when the original song used the capo.
My fist bass was a Cort. I've had several since then and still have a Cort electric 6 string I let our drummers son use to learn with. I've never played a bad Cort. They make great instruments for a good price.
I used GCD shapes pretty much with a capo on all frets ul to fret 7. Your finger on the lowest note of the g shape is the actual root note of the key you will be playing in with the capo position 2 frets back. Make sense? It will work for 1,4,5 progressions.
Interesting. Personally I think capos are awesome for being able to easily change the key of a song to match your voice better. Also having the capo higher up gives a different tone.
What’s fundamentally wrong with a crutch? Although I’d rather think of a capo as a scaffold or ladder. I guess how many of us start using the capo you’d consider a crutch. I can’t sing very high, so I’m often in the keys of E and F. Playing guitar in these shapes sucks big time for folk, country, bluegrass, etc. especially F. Blues in E as an exception. So, I developed a style of playing in D shapes w/capo on 2nd and 3rd frets, often with drop D tuning. I also use a capo on mandolin in the same way. The sound is better in certain shapes, but I also don’t want to learn more chords than I already know on the guitar. My 2 cents. I can sound pretty good by the way.
He made good use of it but he was far from the first, Maybelle Carter used to tune her L5 down and then capo up, frequently capoing up around the 5th fret to get the sound she wanted.
Owe! My brain is crazy with excitement. Time for paper and pencil ✏️ to sort this out. I will begin ❤ Thank you & the comments. I can't remember the last time my brain turned on 😂 It feels good 😊
I received a solid 2 year indoctrination into music theory at the tender ages of 16-18. I loved it, being innately curious about how things worked and also loving to listen to and play music. This explanation highlights the why and how of capo use, which is terribly misunderstood. I'd recommend it to anyone who pooh-poohs capo use. The capo is, in reality, an essential and powerful musical tool once you know what it’s for and how to use it creatively. Thank you thank you thank you.
Capo on the 5th fret and playing only strings 1,2,3,4 you have transformed the guitar into a ukelele. Use standad uke chords, have fun dudes. Why ? Just because you can !.
Been probably over thinking the vii chord in a scale recently. Learned a lot of "cowboy" chords back when first learning guitar and I don't recall ever learning diminished chords, at least not specifically named. There may have been some where they said "just move this finger when you play the chord" without tring to confuse the beginner with its proper name lol. Is the vii chord just not commonly used? Or does another variation tend to get substituted?
Sean, I have heard scores of explanations about how a capo works and I'm am still confused. Here are 2 examples - Keith Richards plays Midnight Rambler capoed at the 7th fret and George Harrison played Here Comes the Sun at the 7th fret. What key are those songs played in? Are they in B??
So I don’t know about midnight rambler but Here Comes the Sun I know is in A. Essentially, the song uses D, G, and A shapes with the picking pattern. These 3 chords played when there’s a capo on the 7th fret are A, D, and E respectively. Hope that makes sense of things for you a little bit. The easiest way for me to come to that conclusion is because the high E barre chord played on the 7th and 9th frets is the A shape used in the song. The capo makes it easier to use that A shape in the cowboy chord fashion. The E chord is actually an E7 technically, but I hope that helps you understand it a bit
@@whyyeseyec another way to look at it, is that if you saw a song that only used D,G and A chords you would say it is in the key of D (G and A being the IV and V chords). With no capo, the D note's for a first position chord are the Open 4th string and the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. Put a capo on the 7th and look at those strings, and you will find an A at the open 3rd String and the now 10th fret from Nut or 3rd fret from the capo on the 2nd string. If you had perfect pitch and shut your eyes and listen you would say HCtS is in the key of A. It is a short hand (actually lazy) to say "It is in the key of D with a capo on 7". It is more correct to say, "I play it with a capo on 7, using D shapes".
@@whyyeseyec It's quite simple. Let's use the open D chord shape as an example. With no capo (think of the capo being at the nut, or fret 0), the open D shape will obviously sound like a D chord. Place the capo on fret 1 and move the open D shape so it is in the same position relative to the capo. It will sound like a D# chord. It's just a matter of counting up the chromatic scale to correspond with the fret number of where the capo is: Capo at 0, a D shape sounds like D. Capo at 1, a D shape sounds like D#. Capo at 2, a D shape sounds like E. Capo at 3, a D shape sounds like F. Capo at 4, a D shape sounds like F#. Capo at 5, a D shape sounds like G. Capo at 6, a D shape sounds like G#. Capo at 7, a D shape sounds like A. You can do the same thing with any starting point. However, you must remember that there is no E# and there is no B#. This is how it looks with an open G chord shape: Capo at 0, a G shape sounds like G. Capo at 1, a G shape sounds like G#. Capo at 2, a G shape sounds like A. Capo at 3, a G shape sounds like A#. Capo at 4, a G shape sounds like B. Capo at 5, a G shape sounds like C. Capo at 6, a G shape sounds like C#. Capo at 7, a G shape sounds like D.
Key of F, a common key for church music. My 'lazy' solution is Capo 3, play in D. Throw in some 'sus'ed chords to dress it up a little bit. ( 'sus'ed is your word, BTW. LoL)
"Guitarists have tried for millennia to figure out what the chords in the key of Eb are, and nobody's ever figured this out." 😂😂😂😂😂 That was hilarious!
This video is gold. I have watched it about 6 trillion times and I am still getting good stuff from it.
There is a case for the capo that you didn't mention, and that is for when you are playing with someone else. Even before you are comfortable playing lead lines and fills as a second guitar, you can change things up just by playing along in a different set of chords. So if your partner is going to play and sing a song in E you can Capo-2 and play D'shapes. The 2 different guitars will sound much fuller. I am a big fan of "The Other Favorites" and you will always see Carson strumming (say with D shapes) and singing while Josh is Capo'd 2 higher and finger picking (in this case C shapes). It just gives you access to different embellishments. And, it is a great motivation to learn how to transpose between 2 keys.
i love THE OTHER FAVORITES!!
been a JT fan a long time.
moonlight in vermont is just epic.
@@BarneysBullit When I want to tell people how to find him on youtube i just say "Google Harry Potter plays Sultan's of Swing". Works every time ...
@@joelzdepski9884 lol yep!
@@BarneysBullit have mercy is one of my favorites from TOF.
I was in church worship team that had so many guitars, I transposed with a capo simply to hear my self. While filling a space in the mix
It was me 20 years ago thinking the "Capo is stupid just learn all the chords"
Now I'm so happy to have gained all these new possibilities. Thank you for putting them so accurately in this video!
I thought this until I saw so many top players use them
I really admire your teaching style Sean. You make ideas and examples very accessible. Excellent teacher and a great sense of humour! Cheers from Australia.
Thanks so much for saying so Bill! Cheers from the US!
Agree!
Multiple instruments playing in the same register of the sound spectrum will cause the sound from some of the instruments to get lost in the mix. I use a capo (usually in the 3rd or 5th fret) to get into a register that the other instruments aren’t playing in. This allows me to play open chords that will have a fuller sound as opposed to playing barre chords up the neck.
I was just going to say that
That’s why I started to learn other voicings for chords . It has taken me a long time to get there. But it’s a journey not a race. I have till the day I die to learn more. But this video has given me new reasons to use a capo
There is a case for using a Capo on the ninth or tenth fret for imitating a Mandolin. I often do this when playing Styx's Boat on a River. Also, this is where the Caged System shines when playing through each key chord.
Also the Eagles use this in Hotel California (Live version) It just makes the song.
all right. let's hear the case then.
Here's a valid way to use the capo as a crutch, but maybe it's better to call it a training wheel: First be aware that the distance between frets decreases at every step toward the sound hole. Now, if I'm learning a piece of music that has an uncomfortable finger stretch, I will capo up to where my fingers can easily make the stretch. I don't care what key that is. I practice the segment of the song over and over until I'm good at playing it. Then I move the capo one fret toward the nut and repeat the process. I keep iterating until I get it to the key I want to play in or until my hand just can't stretch any further.
This is how I practiced the dreaded F chord, long ago.
wow great tip!
😊
Also, if you are practicing the same thing over and over at the same spot you are wearing down the strings earlier.
I often use a capo when learning a song, to play it with the original recording using "C" chord-shapes (which are more intuitive for me). Then, I might transpose to a more comfortable key, for my vocal range or capo placement.
BTW, I keep my guitar tuned down a whole step, and put the capo on the 2nd fret when I need to match standard tuning.
Tuning down and capoing back up is something I do also. Maybelle Carter was a great exponent of this, it can completely change the tone of the guitar.
There are a lot of songs in E that I like to play on capo 2 in the D position. I like the tonal difference for some songs. Other songs I play in the open E. For Eb I like to capo 1, D position. I use this a lot when playing with other people so everyone doesn't have to tune down. Playing solo I tune down a half step and play standard on capo 1. Capos are a valuable tool. Great video and great explanation.
(5:09) You certainly can use the capo on 7th fret in "C" position. Mother Maybelle Carter basically invented using a capo on Country/Folk guitar in the 20's (it was a new invention at the time). She utilized it because her signature style revolved around playing the melody in the bass notes in "C" position. "Wildwood Flower" her signature song is capo on 7th fret using "C" position. It doesn't ring the same in standard "G" position and the 5 chord is high instead of low. Different positions allow the strings to ring open differently and allow for certain turnarounds etc. Bluegrass players of course transpose it to many keys/positions but the definitive version is 7th fret capo "C" position. A melody sits in the mix of notes differently using capo on different frets/positions of the same key.
Sean anytime you use the Capo,it changes your playing and gives you more melodic chords within the the Capo setting,I used it a lot,very inspiring tool..I love it just for creative ideas great for singer songwriters
For me, using capo is not a crutch at all. Its a powerful tool. Each fret you capo to has a unique tone. Using a capo sets your guitar into a diffeent register too that can maken it stand out in a band.
I agree. I have one for all 5 of my guitars and use them frequently.
Well said, this is the primary reason I use a capo. I find the key of E is easier to play open. But I love the tonal qualities of capo 2, D forms for a lot of the songs I play.
I use a capo for singing. I find E flat bit easier so I transpose on the third fret, Once I transpose I can move the capo to a position that I can sing that day.
I want a Cort baritone guitar can you explain how tune one can you as standard guitar thank you !!!!!
I have one song I recorded a number of years ago now where I wanted a sort of upbeat, jangly, maybe pop-y sound to the guitars so after laying down the open position chords I used a capo at the 4th fret and a different set of open chord shapes (on a different guitar) to play the same (root) chords and it came out as sparkly as I was hoping it would.
Buddy Holly frequently used a capo on the 5th of his Strat so that he could play in A using open E shapes to get the Tex-Mex rockabilly sound he wanted.
1:53 in, I’m already sold on this lesson. I have taught myself through this type of video. Straight to the point. You get a like on this one. Maybe your best yet. At this point, the capo is my best tool. Frets one, two and three get the job done for most songs out there. Sometimes a four works out.
Great video. I used to think using a capo was ‘cheating’ until recently when I have been watching lots of Mike Knopfler videos. MK uses a capo on many of his songs as it gives him the ability to pick ‘open’ strings rather than fretted strings resulting in a much fuller sound. So capos don’t just help in forming chords, they also help in picking melodies etc.
Definitely a great tool to have!
Indeed, a great example is Mark’s song, Romeo & Juliet on the infamous National O Style cone guitar (the one on the cover of the Brothers in Arms album), where the capo is on the 3rd fret, but with an open tuning. It sounds magnificent.
Try playing The Beatles's Here Comes the Sun in the key of A without a capo. It's hard to play and doesn't sound as pretty, either.
Simon and Garfunkel uses a capo quite a bit and Gordon Lightfoot almost always uses one.
Using a capo is just another arrow in your quiver. It's a tool, a good one at that. Anything that inspires or otherwise helps you become a more creative and musically interesting player is a good thing. I have a Schubb in every guitar case. Not embarrassed in the least to use them.
I learned to play _"The Beatles" Here Comes The Sun"_ in order to play along with the record, I put the capo on the 7th fret. That's what George Harrison did as well 🤗
Sounds really good! And The song is in the key of *D* ..George also used a capo on the 2nd Fret for "My Sweet Lord", And he used the capo on the 3rd fret for
"Give Me Love (Give me Peace on Earth).🤎🚶🏿♂🚶🏿🚶🏿♂🚶🏿♂🎸🌞
Yes! George also capoed the 7th fret on If I Needed Someone. And Don Felder capoed the 7th fret on the 12 string neck for Hotel California.
@@deanboca12 well if its good enough for them🙂
And the Beatles played Norwegian Wood, I’ve Just Seen a face and others with one or all the guitars capo’ed at the 2nd fret.
If you want to play in F major augmented A minor Dorian, you need a capo on the 3rd and 5th string on the 1st and 9th fret
Outstanding presentation, Sean! I've always had trouble with a capo. Thanks for this lesson. Really helps.
This is why I like your lesson videos. Very clear presentation, easy to remember (and also, I've been doing it all wrong).
i got so much to learn this bit of music theory lesson actually deppressed me
Don't look at it that way. "Music theory" is a life long process that nobody masters. Just keep playing songs and by the time you are good enough to use the theory, it will more or less be there, or it will become of interest to you.
Theory is a good thing to learn but you don't have to know it to enjoy playing the guitar.
Just keep playing and it will come.
@@jeffmckinnon5842 m
Great video Sean. The capo allows for so much variation. I love mine.
I like the capo because I do vintage country and rockabilly. My voice requires lowering the key a lot. It's a life saver!
@@chapmcchap2919 yes you have to do what's necessary for you
Thank you. One of the best videos that has helped me to see it in my head.
Glad it was helpful!
Practical guide to capo use...as harmony teaching on the guitar, many personalist and dubious statements. Answer to the "sound of D major chord choices" could be drop low E string to D, open string ideas in D, for example, using a Dadd9, much easier with capo at II...calling G a "far key" from C based on the root on the fifth string is misuse of terms of near and far, which are usually used to refer to modulation, in which case the G is close...
There is a great fiddle tune played by guitar players in the key of Bb, with capo at 3rd fret. A fiddler or mando player needs to know it from the Bb scale, however. A mandolin doesn't typically use a capo. Norman Blake uses a capo on 3rd to play Elzic's Farewell. He seems to like that G scale fingering.
I learned a lot. Thank you.
Your perspective of grouping chords by key is a great idea. It’s an obvious thing to do on the piano but not as much on the guitar.
Thank you so much I came across your video tonight cuz I wanted to learn about cables and I want a running so much more than I thought I could and finally have an understanding of music that I never understood before all these years of trying to get it and I actually wrote it new scriber and thank you very much look forward to watching yer backlog and see what else
I bring a capo to jams for friends who only know an handful of chords. It let's them join in on more of the fun. Thanks for keeping the sarcasm, Sean. It's appreciated.
I have almost no music theory, but as I've been learning more songs I've found the capo does usually land at 3 or 5, to get it into my vocal range with reasonable chord shapes. Also, I use the Tabs app and transpose if I have to go down instead of up, and then sometimes I may transpose -5 and then put a capo on 3, to get a -2, because it gives easier or fuller chord shapes. Like you said, getting into D-shapes can be easy, but they've got little bass.
What a great lesson!
This reminds me of the old 12 string guitar trick. Tine down a whole step and capo the second fret to make the guitar easier to play.
This video would have made 3 records better 15 years ago. You've answered like 3 critical questions ive had . Sincerely, thanks.
Sean, you have convinced me to use my two real Glader capos that I convinced myself I wanted but was too proud to use because I'm a long-time capable player who, thought, just as you said
How narrow-minded of me.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Songwriter here, always growing.
To the question of why to capo on 3rd fret: Sax and horn players love the keys of Bb and Eb - less sharps and flats for them since it transposes to the keys of C and F for them. They will appreciate it.
Piano players too, and actually the guitar, to my mind, sounds better in those keys, capo on the 3rd and use open C and G shapes.
Thanks Sean, just starting to gig original songs with a few covers mixed in.
Hi, I have a fender villager 12 string acoustic guitar I love playing Billie Eilish stuff I use the capo on 3rd fret for most of her songs especially " Everything I Wanted "and"Bellyache" they sound great on a 12 string just love it and matches my voice when I sing I can hit the higher vocals. I think the capo is a great tool I use the Boston type I can also get close to the ukele sound as I also like playing Party Favor would be lost without my capo.🤩🤩🏴🏴
"Nobody knows what chords go in the key of E-flat"? That's what the Circle of Fifths is for, making such things clear as day.
I think the point he is trying to make is that E flat doesn't lend itself well for standard tuning on the guitar so we tend to just tune down a half step and play manageable chord patterns.... Which is the same thing really.
Great practical breakdown Sean, well done. Maybe a primer or refresher on "whole whole half whole half half whole" and how and when that hot mess changes between minor and major or something like that?
I use capo most of the time between frets 1-7. As a sax player as well, I am used to having to transpose from the keys of Bb and Eb. Once you can do that in your head anything is easy!!!
I often wondered whether Jimi Hendrix tuned to Eb from his early days playing with horn sections, and decided he liked the sound.
I kind of understand this. Have to watch a few times and see if I can figure it out.
Fully with you on capo respectability, sir.
This is a good video to move to the next level. If you you want to use a chord palette to emphasise certain lyrics which don’t sound good in a certain key the capo is key. No pun intended!! Or add open strings to emphasise some lyrics this is pro stuff it’s not always about shredding!
I remember my guitar teacher saying when i was a kid , that using a capo was for lazy guitarists , but as a single performer I came to realise the versatility the capo gave. It’s hard enough , playing using whilst playing harp in a neck brace and singing ,let alone trying to satisfy a small good of purists. Its all about sound in the end . Great ideas , thanks Shaun 🇦🇺scott
Looks cool, I want one.
I always thought that the 3rd fret was a common capo position as it allowed guitarists to accompany music that included a Bb trumpet using the chords in the key of G
... and because a lot of songs are written by keyboard players, for whom keys like E flat of B flat are comparatively comfortable to play in.
Exactly!
Bb and Eb are often best keys for high baritone singer. Once I met a fiddler who worked with the late George Jones. She told me she had to learn his entire repertoire in both Bb and B major keys, as he would decide on the day of the concert what his voice could handle better...
Yes. I learned this playing with small ensembles from charts in church. It avoids a lot of awkward flatted, seldom used chord shapes.
@@igw2b Not to mention that most acoustic guitars seem to project better in those keys when playing in bands.
I was once told that "real" guitar players don't use a capo, but I have never believed that. The guy who told me that was a classical player, and I had somehow acquired an unradiused straight capo, so I offered it to him. I learned that it was an insult to a classical player, so I never made that mistake again. But for all other acoustic guitarists, a capo is a valuable tool. This was a very good, informative video that threw in a little theory, which was a bonus.
Capos are good when you play mostly open chords and few changes. As an example, i play a song 1 6 2 5 in A with a bars only there are two choruses (different patterns). The style of the song sounds best with bars. It also has descending runs that complicates transposing with a capo. Info only. I use capos when the original song used the capo.
If Glen Campbell says learn to use a capo … then learn to use a capo. Another good video. Thanks Sean.
Awesome lesson my guy
Neat way of looking at the guitar. Not sure if that F#m7 will pass as F#m.
Great to see another guitarist using a Cort "Gold" guitar
My fist bass was a Cort. I've had several since then and still have a Cort electric 6 string I let our drummers son use to learn with. I've never played a bad Cort. They make great instruments for a good price.
7:30 really made me chuckle man 😂. Nice job
You're my spirit animal!
Loved it!! I needed this info. THX!
This was beautiful, man❤
Open players tend to use it on the second. Think keef and rich Robinson, Harrison etc.
I used GCD shapes pretty much with a capo on all frets ul to fret 7. Your finger on the lowest note of the g shape is the actual root note of the key you will be playing in with the capo position 2 frets back. Make sense? It will work for 1,4,5 progressions.
The capo helps me to find a good pitch to sing in that’s in my sweet spot of singing.
Good vid. I've used the 7th fret on a couple songs and sometimes it starts to sound like a ukulele.
Thanks for watching!
Very well explained!!! Thanks!
Your awesome sean❤
Thanks bro for sharing this lesson😎
Interesting. Personally I think capos are awesome for being able to easily change the key of a song to match your voice better. Also having the capo higher up gives a different tone.
I also use a cut capo. Great open sound thst leaves open notes ringing.
What’s fundamentally wrong with a crutch? Although I’d rather think of a capo as a scaffold or ladder.
I guess how many of us start using the capo you’d consider a crutch. I can’t sing very high, so I’m often in the keys of E and F. Playing guitar in these shapes sucks big time for folk, country, bluegrass, etc. especially F. Blues in E as an exception.
So, I developed a style of playing in D shapes w/capo on 2nd and 3rd frets, often with drop D tuning.
I also use a capo on mandolin in the same way. The sound is better in certain shapes, but I also don’t want to learn more chords than I already know on the guitar. My 2 cents.
I can sound pretty good by the way.
Glenn Campbell was one of the first to realise and utilise the capo. He used it on Frank Sinatra strangers in the night
He made good use of it but he was far from the first, Maybelle Carter used to tune her L5 down and then capo up, frequently capoing up around the 5th fret to get the sound she wanted.
Capo up to the third fret to play Free Falling. It's in F.
Owe! My brain is crazy with excitement. Time for paper and pencil ✏️ to sort this out. I will begin ❤ Thank you & the comments. I can't remember the last time my brain turned on 😂 It feels good 😊
Major music mind, no flats, great info mabey slow down a bit, most of us are not drilled 2 know your talent as you do. Tks !!!
Thanks for the great lesson! :)
Excellant In it’s practicality, sensei. Thank you, may I have another?
Sure thing ;)
I use the capo on the third fret to make it easy for the horn players.
I received a solid 2 year indoctrination into music theory at the tender ages of 16-18. I loved it, being innately curious about how things worked and also loving to listen to and play music.
This explanation highlights the why and how of capo use, which is terribly misunderstood. I'd recommend it to anyone who pooh-poohs capo use. The capo is, in reality, an essential and powerful musical tool once you know what it’s for and how to use it creatively.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Capo on the 5th fret and playing only strings 1,2,3,4 you have transformed the guitar into a ukelele. Use standad uke chords, have fun dudes. Why ? Just because you can !.
Thanks for this, much appreciated …
Thanks for the lesson. What guitar are you playing?
Check out the 5 string capo that leaves the bass e string alone.
3rd fret on E string = G. 3rd fret on A string = C
Thank you!
Been probably over thinking the vii chord in a scale recently. Learned a lot of "cowboy" chords back when first learning guitar and I don't recall ever learning diminished chords, at least not specifically named. There may have been some where they said "just move this finger when you play the chord" without tring to confuse the beginner with its proper name lol. Is the vii chord just not commonly used? Or does another variation tend to get substituted?
My uncle, born in 1928, always called his capo a "cheater".
Sean, I have heard scores of explanations about how a capo works and I'm am still confused. Here are 2 examples - Keith Richards plays Midnight Rambler capoed at the 7th fret and George Harrison played Here Comes the Sun at the 7th fret. What key are those songs played in? Are they in B??
So I don’t know about midnight rambler but Here Comes the Sun I know is in A. Essentially, the song uses D, G, and A shapes with the picking pattern. These 3 chords played when there’s a capo on the 7th fret are A, D, and E respectively. Hope that makes sense of things for you a little bit. The easiest way for me to come to that conclusion is because the high E barre chord played on the 7th and 9th frets is the A shape used in the song. The capo makes it easier to use that A shape in the cowboy chord fashion. The E chord is actually an E7 technically, but I hope that helps you understand it a bit
@@mccarney4207 The chords names I understand, but what key is Here Comes the Sun with capo on 7th fret?
@@whyyeseyec another way to look at it, is that if you saw a song that only used D,G and A chords you would say it is in the key of D (G and A being the IV and V chords). With no capo, the D note's for a first position chord are the Open 4th string and the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. Put a capo on the 7th and look at those strings, and you will find an A at the open 3rd String and the now 10th fret from Nut or 3rd fret from the capo on the 2nd string. If you had perfect pitch and shut your eyes and listen you would say HCtS is in the key of A. It is a short hand (actually lazy) to say "It is in the key of D with a capo on 7". It is more correct to say, "I play it with a capo on 7, using D shapes".
Joel Zdepski that’s a good way to describe it
@@whyyeseyec It's quite simple. Let's use the open D chord shape as an example. With no capo (think of the capo being at the nut, or fret 0), the open D shape will obviously sound like a D chord. Place the capo on fret 1 and move the open D shape so it is in the same position relative to the capo. It will sound like a D# chord. It's just a matter of counting up the chromatic scale to correspond with the fret number of where the capo is:
Capo at 0, a D shape sounds like D.
Capo at 1, a D shape sounds like D#.
Capo at 2, a D shape sounds like E.
Capo at 3, a D shape sounds like F.
Capo at 4, a D shape sounds like F#.
Capo at 5, a D shape sounds like G.
Capo at 6, a D shape sounds like G#.
Capo at 7, a D shape sounds like A.
You can do the same thing with any starting point. However, you must remember that there is no E# and there is no B#. This is how it looks with an open G chord shape:
Capo at 0, a G shape sounds like G.
Capo at 1, a G shape sounds like G#.
Capo at 2, a G shape sounds like A.
Capo at 3, a G shape sounds like A#.
Capo at 4, a G shape sounds like B.
Capo at 5, a G shape sounds like C.
Capo at 6, a G shape sounds like C#.
Capo at 7, a G shape sounds like D.
There’s a Bdim in the Cmaj key too
Here Comes The Sun was composed for a capo on the 7th fret
A capo on the fifth fret is a ukulele, pretty handy. If you like the ukulele lady, ukulele lady like a you.
Key of F, a common key for church music. My 'lazy' solution is Capo 3, play in D. Throw in some 'sus'ed chords to dress it up a little bit. ( 'sus'ed is your word, BTW. LoL)
Keith uses a capo often through the decades! I don't remember any Beatles using them-maybe they did?
Buddy Holly used one a lot.
Yeah, second fret for keef a lot. Open tunings hit second fret a lot. Rich Robinson as well.
With D I like drop D tuning.
I learned these things the hard way... and took me ages.
I just found you😮...and your speaking english❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
what about the 7th diminished chord?
Must add that your intonation must be set well otherwise high fret capo will be compromised
I only use a capo when I don't know all the barre chords to play without it.
"Guitarists have tried for millennia to figure out what the chords in the key of Eb are, and nobody's ever figured this out."
😂😂😂😂😂 That was hilarious!
Would it be the same concept for key of Bm?
To much theory makes my eyes glaze over. Happens quickly too!
What up With your finger?