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Capos and Trasposing.

I'm a huge fan of using a capo. In fact, I use one on almost every song just because I love to transpose. But other members of the band like to tease me about the fact that I never don't use my capo because I'm trying to avoid barre chords.

I would think that using a capo fluently is a great trait to have as a worship leader, and a guitarist, because it teaches you to transpose on the spot, in your head, and it's a lot easier to play and sing at the same time when you don't have to focus on your fingers. Does anybody else agree with me? Or am I just a freak? Haha.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Worship The Rock on November 17, 2009 at 9:51am

Hi Stefanie - totally agree. I started a discussion in the main forum on this topic called - Why Refuse A Capo? Check it out here:

http://www.worshiptherock.com/forum/topics/2059046:Topic:1928

Permalink Reply by Lorraine Doswell on December 7, 2009 at 5:08pm

Hi Stephanie,

I have been playing rhythm guitar for about eight years now, I never used a capo until about two years ago. I sometimes have a little twinge of guilt that it is cheating, but this weekend for example, I am playing/singing with a singer/keyboard player whom I haven't done worship with in months. There will be no time to practice beforehand and all music will be spontaneous. I reckon I don't need the extra worry of thinking on the spur of the moment where an Eb is, so Capo it is, for the odd song - better for me than playing a duff Eb when there are just the two of us and no other guitarists to cover any mistakes.

I've just been buying a new capo - a G7th, apparenly you can change these with one hand - I can't, in fact I can't get it off at all without twanging the strings loudly, this is something I will definitely have to work at : )

Permalink Reply by Michael O'Connor on December 7, 2009 at 9:16pm

Hi Lorraine,
Put away those twinges of guilt - a capo is a tool, just as much as a plectrum is.
(When you've got stubby fingers like me you need all the help you can get.)
Learning to keep the strings quiet when you're taking off a capo e.g with your forearm, and at other times when you're not playing is just another of those essential skills you aquire with practice, your awareness shows you're learning that anyway.
I've got the G7th but I have to say I still prefer a Schubb.
I use a capo as much to take advantage of the altered timbre of the instrument as for the ease of playing.
But... I'm using a lot more 'open' chords these days as a lot of modern worship songs tend to use these tones.

I know this weekend will go well and that your singing and playing from the heart will perfectly complement Brian's and make wonderful harmonies with the congregation.
I know you give it all for Him - believe that He, who has given all for you, delights in the way you give back the glory to Him for the precious gift he has given you.
I'll remember you both this weekend in prayer.
God bless
Michael

Permalink Reply by Lorraine Doswell on December 9, 2009 at 4:44pm

Hi Michael,

Thanks so much for your encourgement and prayers, you have no idea what it means to me at this particular time.... I haven't been on the site for a while and didn't for one second expect you to pop up on here..........If you and Mary fancy coming along at some point during the weekend, I'd love to see you both......(make sure you bring your guitar though) I thank you dearly for your friendship. Hope to see you soon.

God Bless. Lorraine

Permalink Reply by Scott Jasmin on December 9, 2009 at 1:36pm

Stefanie,
Hi! No, you are not a freak. I think capos offer versatility for those not comfortable playing in all keys, especially flat keys or the dreaded key of F. Also, I think that using one's capo up on the 5th or 7th fret and playing the traditional G-C-D-Em-Am can sound really cool. A lot of recording artists use that trick. All that having been said, I only use a capo on one song, and I use it to do just that: to play the key of G chords on the 7th fret-- specifically for the cool sound. Otherwise, I prefer not to use a capo. I believe it has helped me become a more competent player, with much more knowledge in music theory than I would have otherwise. I would say don't get rid of your capo, but perhaps try to not use it here and there where you normally would and see what you think!
In Christ,
Scott Jasmin

Permalink Reply by Nathan Bush on December 12, 2009 at 1:22am

Bruce said that his group doesn't allow Capos! Are you kidding?

Capos are great for transposing. But one thing else is that they change the "voice" of acoustic and hollow-body guitars. Try playing a song higher on neck with a capo on the 4th or 5th fret (make sure your capo is on properly). Listen how your picking and strumming sounds. It won't just soung higher, but it will have a different quality of sound.

There are even some guitarists that capo the neck on only 4 strings. (Too weird, huh?) Enjoy! Grow your gift for The Lord.

Permalink Reply by Steven Ruth on January 2, 2010 at 9:55pm

Capos are great for certain songs. One example is in the song "My Savior My God". To get the voicing right, I capo on the 7th fret and play in G formation. This gives me the higher tone quality I need. I know some purists don't believe in using Capos, but I use them mostly to get the right voicing for a particular song. Plus it adds variety to your playing. Don't be afraid...embrace the capo! =D

Permalink Reply by David Harrell on January 16, 2010 at 2:31am

I'm with you Steven. That's exactly what I use my capo for, especially when a G voicing is needed with common tones on the E and B strings.

Permalink Reply by Jason Buechner on January 6, 2010 at 1:09am

Hello, Stefanie!
I totally believe in capos! I play acoustic mainly for my youth group, and I use it heavily. I play electric in the morning worship, and I even use a capo with it fairly often because open strings are your friends! :) Open strings make your guitar sound alive and vibrant. I can play barre chords pretty well. I have large hands and relatively strong fingers for it, but to me, it sounds like I'm choking the guitar. It's just my preference. I respect the musician who doesn't want to use a capo and can get by using the traditional and conventional methods, but I love my capos.

I use capos because, like I said, it's the next best thing to letting those strings ring open, but I also use them because I don't particularly like the sound I get in some keys because of the chord voicings (to be specific, B, C, F, and any of the flat or sharp keys).

About the capo you use - is it the Nashville style G7th? The spring-loaded clip style? I ask because this design is probably the easiest you can find when it comes to repositioning it on the spot with ease and fluidity. I personally use a Kyser, and it works well, but I've never had the opportunity to try out a G7th. I also use a Planet Waves dual action capo that is like the Dunlop trigger clip capo, except that you can adjust the tension. I use this on my electric for the adjustable capability, and it works great also.

Sorry to ramble, but yeah. That's my 2 cents. (more like 20 bucks I guess, but hey)

God bless!

Permalink Reply by Shane Goh on February 23, 2010 at 6:14am

Compare a D (xx0232) with a capo 2 C (x32010)

The sound of the chord is very different. The positions of the notes affect the voice of the chord, and that's what the capo is essentially for. Sure, it makes it easier for us to play in difficult keys like F and B, but more importantly the sounds can be amazing. Being able to play the five keys of CAGED will make using the capo a breeze.

How I was shown this light was once I was a 2nd acoustic guitarist for this worship session. One guitarist strummed in G while I capo-ed at the 7th fret and plucked in C. It was a nightmare and I was scared to death for my baby, but she held on and the resulting sound for the song was great

Permalink Reply by Benjamin Luce on February 23, 2010 at 9:54pm

Exactly!! Soooo many self-righteous, non-capoers are on this site, and it is hilarious!!! (I'm gonna get it for that!) I have been playing guitar for over 20yrs and I love using a capo. It is an excellent tool!! Try playing songs in the key of E, but capo on 2 all the strings except the low-E and play D shapes... (like dropped-D).. That sounds nice for some songs.

Permalink Reply by Eric Harris on February 24, 2010 at 10:18pm

I am totally with you guys on this one. For me personally, using a capo is almost exclusively about chord voicing and not ease of play. I think that it is beneficial to learn to play the bar chords and sometimes, in certain songs I prefer them. However, it is sweet to play in the key of 'C' by throwing a capo on 5 and playing a 'G' shape....