How to Use a Capo the RIGHT Way
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Going over some fundamental and ESSENTIAL tips on using a capo. Thanks to @sweetwater and Kyser for sponsoring this video. Get yourself a Kyser capo:
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I got my capo from Harbor Freight. It also doubles as a vise grip.
I use a c-clamp 😂
Lol
Thank you! I use a capo when I am singing, I don't want to worry about some of these crazy hard chords when I am playing and singing. LOVE the capo! Great tips!!
Shubb is my go to capo.
More people need to join the Shubb Club.
I respect you and think you're one of the best instructors on CZcams. That said, Kyser capos are simply NOT the best out there - in fact, I'd argue they're some of the worst on the market - they're just the most popular. G7th makes the best capos.
Edit: Opinion doesn't even enter into this discussion. It is an objective fact that Kyser doesn't make the best capos.
G7th ART is my go-to capo! I have a Kyser as well, but the G7th adapts to the fretboard radius better and affects the tuning less.
Yes! Also G7 capo looks much better. I have ended up buying SEVEN of these crazy expensive capos (3 different models) because it is 1. so handy do carry in my pocket, 2. adjustable pressure 3. great design.
Exactly. It's not even a debate. Kysers are garbage when put up next to nearly any G7th (I do have to be fair and say the 2nd generation G7th capos weren't an improvement over the original, but the 3rd gen ART capos are AMAZING).
Nice. Kysers have been my go-to capo for years. I meant to get a G7 years ago. I think I'll finally take the plunge.
Excellent presentation. I have been moving that direction, toward your approach to capo use, so this was really helpful. I have a Kyser capo that I'd had for a long time and had some sentimental value. The spring broke. Kyser basically rebuilt the capo for me, new rubber, new silicone sleeve, new spring. I'm a loyal forever customer.
I learned a lot in your video where you explained its not necessary to play full chords.
If you don't care about missing a few strings it's easy to strum all over the neck.
Specially if you use tracks it can even sound better, sometimes.
Actually there are very few times that you play all 6 strings. Sometimes you do but not often.
You should link this to a worship tutorial.
Usually on Sunday, I have to transpose a song that is capoed, for the bass player and piano player.
Great stuff as usual man.
Hahaha!! I actually go bottom up. Not sure why I started doing it that way. Still going to watch your video(s)😂
Me too. I still watched the video
I think that I may know why you automatically just do it that way. Cuz it feels like a more natural motion--and it's more convenient--to squeeze the capo open with your dominant hand and come from beneath the neck. Especially if you tend to put your capo on the headstock of the guitar while it's not in use. Whereas coming from ABOVE the neck necessitates you completely resituating yourself. That's if you don't wind up having to sit the entire guitar down for moment in order to do so. If it's beneficial to do it that way,then cool. But without knowing that,who would ever voluntarily choose to!? Seems like a lot of additional work,you know!?
another great use of a capo .. my capo really helps play drop tunings, I'll tune down to D, and use the capo on one for (Eb/Ab/Gb/Bb/Eb) or no capo for (D/G/F/A/D) still able achieve standard tuning when capo is on Two.. it allows a way to play many songs tuned down on the fly (always retune after you move the capo) really helpful when using a 12 string keeping it tuned to D (D/G/F/A/D) helps loosen the strings making much it easier to play and add flavor all the way up the neck.. Just keep CAPO on II for most standard tuned songs
I tune all my guitars this way also. Reason being is, I can't sing as high as I used to. ( Just turned 65 & still smoking cigs, unfortunately!)
Yum.
I use a capo a lot, but not because I can't play other chords. I use it mainly for fingerstyle where all the melody notes would be a totally different arrangement if I had to switch keys. The second reason is simply for the sound where some things gust sound better in a higher octave, and having those open strings in the higher octave.
I use a capo to play Beatles songs that it's used on. Rubber Soul has a lot of capoed songs: Michelle, If I Needed Someone, Girl, Norwegian Wood. On Help there's I've Just Seen a Face, It's Only Love. George used the capo a lot: Here Comes the Sun, Old Brown Shoe.
Norwegian wood is so good
Hack, i learned for drop D.
Capo inverted, capo2, strings ADGBe.
Leave low E string open
Sweet explanation of when and how to use a capo. Besides guitar, I own a couple of ukeleles - just recently acquired a baritone uke, which is tuned 5 steps different from my tenor uke, so playing a C-chord position on one becomes a G-chord on the other. Until I watched your video, I really hadn't given much thought to how this related to moving a capo to the 5th fret of the guitar (partly I guess because I can't remember ever using a capo past the 3rd fret). For my acoustic guitars, I own 2 Kyser capos and agree, they are great - I don't use anything else. Shout out to @Sweetwater for co-sponsoring your video and for their awesome service. Great job. I'm hitting the subscribe button!
Welcome to the party!! Thanks so much for watching :)
As a church musician, I often use a capo so I can play in a different range from the keyboard (you mentioned the same with two guitars.) In other words, I don't want to tromp over the keyboard (and vice-versa) because the result is a muddy sound. I laughed when you described your first capo, AKA the "Bill Russell Elastic," because yes, it did have a proclivity to "explode" off your fretboard, either as you tried to apply it, or in the middle of a song, ending on the floor about six feet from where you were standing. All that said, here's why I recommend the "D'Addario NS Artist Capo Adjustable Tension" over the Kyser. (1) Although the Kyser is the easiest to quickly place and use, they are not bullet-proof. I use the 12-string version, and they last about 5 years, and then either the main frame or the spring breaks at an inopportune moment (i.e., the middle of a gig.) I've gone through several over the past 15 years or so. (I've never had a six-string Kyser break.) (2) Kysers have a powerful grip (good!) but that also means if you use them a lot, you'll be putting serious grooves into your frets, which eventually means a fret replacement job ($500-600.) in contrast, the D'Addario Adjustable Tension allows me to easily dial in the least amount of pressure to achieve the firm tension I need. (3) Kysers are preset to a certain radius which either works or not for your particular guitar. Thalia Capos (Thaliacapos.com) is the only brand that comes with a whole set of radius pads (and fitment chart) to fit whatever guitar you've got. They're quite expensive, but worth it -IF- you only use a capo occasionally. Their only problem (in my experience) is that like the Kyser, their pressure is quite significant. The sets of pads that come with the Thalia include a high- and low- pressure version for every radius out there. But even the low-pressure felt super-stiff on my 12-string. BTW, shout out to Sweetwater for having a wide variety of everything (including a wide variety of 203 capos!) related to guitar (and pretty much any instrument.) Thalia capos are only available directly on-line (thaliacapos.com.) Their site is worth checking out for their wide visual variety.
Frontman Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull capos up to fret 3 and even 5 sometimes and kind of arpegiates the chords and the guitar has a kind of mixed guitar and mandolin sound. Check out the song Dun Ringill or Thick as a brick. Great tunes from the use of a capo.
He even goes to the 7th fret, check out "Cheap Day Return" or
"Life is a Long Song"
I brought that reverse capo energy to the chat, and you can’t stop me. Mwahahahahhah 😈
Thank you Sean; awesome , simple and accurate explanation to further creativity 🎸 👏 All the Best 😊
Love Kyser capos. Not a crutch, but a huge advantage of guitars. Easy to change keys for better match with the singer or easier chord changes.
There are times you must put the capo on what you would call upside down. There are songs I play that are in the key of E and I want to use a 1 chord fingering in a D shape. I put the capo on the 2nd fret on strings 1-5 leaving the 6th E string un-capoed. I also put my shubb capo on “upside” down if I want to remove it quickly in the middle of a song (usually for chord voicing reason. There is nothing wrong with putting a capo on “upside” down as long as each capoed string rings clear.
Same here. I also find that having the bulky clamp side towards the bottom strings gets in the way of my fretting hand. Don’t have that problem when it’s “upside down.”
G7th Capos. `Nuff said.
This is awesome. Needed to hear this. My buddy took my capo (cool camo kaiser!) away cuz I was just learning...plus I think he liked the capo, like maybe too much. But NOW I have the best capo, even better than YOURS. It's an alligator!! The second I saw it I was like DUH!!!, of COURSE it's an alligator. What ELSE, right ?!? ....and don't say crocodile. I named it, too. He's The Instagator cuz he instantly transposes C to G. I know.
Thank you for this video, it was inspiring. I've been playing for 52 years and teaching guitar for 33 years. I prefer to use the lower-cost Kyser Pro-Am capos as they do not over pinch and make my guitar go sharp and they are 1/3 the price. Of course the only drawback is I have to manually tighten the capo. Thank you again for this inspiring video and Thank You to Sweetwater and Kyser. 👍🎸
I already had a Kyser capo, but I always thought you put the capo halfway between the frets instead of close up to the fret! Thanks for that... although it puts the capo hardware more in your way when you are playing near the capo
Yeah, I put it halfway as well. It gets in the way and my way of thinking is when it's close to the fret, you are probably stretching the string a bit more and increasing the propensity to sharpen the notes.
This is clickbait. I wanted to learn to live a functional life in a complete state of dehydration. He provided no information about that.
Yup
Yeah… ! ?
I don’t get ticked off over click bate anymore. They all do it
Yeah! I came for lessons on dehydration 😢
😂😂 this was funny.
Especially about ppl who turn their capo down. That's just not forgivable 😂
@@LRooster1 “B-A-I-T” Bait. Drink some water-quickly.
BTW you can use the capo upside down to keep the bottom/low string open
I love to play “Cold Cold Heart” with my capo on the 8th fret, I have a fairly high voice and it makes my guitar sound “mandolin-ish”, giving a fresh vibe to an old song 😊
Capo has to go on upside down for partial capo of only 4 top strinss! Its a nice sound on second fret
The same note same octave has a different feel depending on where its played on the fret board. Fun to experiment with the different sounds.
Mostly overlooked is a capo shortens the scale of the instrument. Notice the frets spacing is longer near the nut, and shorter nearer the bridge. A capo will allow those with small hands to reach notes more easily.
In order to help with dehydration, blend and drink whole organic lemons with the stems cut off and bended in a vitamix or blendtech. This will change your life.And I will take your advice for capo'ing. Thx
I will 100% do this
Excellent grasp of the basics of capo use. Nothing novel here for those of use who've been playing with capos for decades, but still good "beginner" information. I was hoping you'd get into how to avoid sharping when capoing, which is common-especially with Keyser-style capos (hint: set the capo as close to the fret as you possibly can-even "on top" of it , so long as the leading edge of the capo doesn't cross the fret and effectively add damping to the string vibration).
Personally, I feel the Keyser design has been significantly leapfrogged by other capos like Paige (or the similar and slightly superior Elliot if you have the coin), NS/D'Addario, and even Shubb, but it's a workable capo so long as you position it properly barely over and behind the fret, but the excessive spring tension built into the design will sharp the guitar-especially the unwound strings-if you don't position it carefully.
You need a 'Babe-a-thon' Q & A . 🎸🔥🥇. Thanks Sean. Happy New Year!
Every fret you capo to has a different tone. 5th is like mandolin or uke. Two guitars together with different capo settings works great and separates the sound. Capo is essential unless you are a traditional classical player or only a lead player.
Thanks for the proper way to use a capo lesson. Very Helpful!!
Capo theory is simple. There is an optimal key to play in, especially when finger picking. Then there is the key you need to sing in. The capo solves that problem. Simple as that.
Dude, you rock!
I suppose I have various reasons for using a capo. The two primary reasons are the ease and the sound. Even when playing without a capo, sometimes there are easier alternatives to playing a particular chord that doesn't involve as much stretching of the fingers and just feel more comfortable, at least to me. When I don't use a capo is when most of the song can be played with open chords but temporarily need a barred chord to get the higher range. If I cannot get the full range of the sound that I am after, I don't use the capo. If I can, I use the capo primarily for ease.
Brilliant! Funny and informative. Cheers!
capo 10 is handy if you need to play along with a Bb clarinet..'cuz every note they play is actually a full step lower than written. I can transpose on the fly if it's a simple key with 5 chords...but not Moon River with 20 chords!
This guy has the strangest accent! I sometimes put the capo on at a slight angle, less close to the fret on the thicker strings. Works for me anyway, just to not throw the intonation out as much. Works for me anyway ;)
Sorry, there’s a lot of better Capo’s then Kaiser’s. Such as Shubb or G7, those put more direct even pressure on the neck.
Great talk, Sean
Kayser are the best been using then for 35 yrs, just a nice spring and feel…
Capos, barre chords, bumper bowling ... whatever it takes to get the job done 💯
Tried 6 different Capo's, and I found the G7th too bulky, horrible things.
Shubb is the only capo anyone needs, discreet, reliable, and adjustable.
Shubb capos are underrated legends.
1:34 Hi Sean. With all due respect, I don't agree, 😉 because I use a capo often on only the first four or five strings (leaving the low E-string or both E and A-string open). And I don't use this type of capo, I'm using the Shubb or the G7th and I prefer them over all the others. And believe me, I tried lots and lots!! But, please expain why you shouldn't put a capo on your guitar that way...??? What's weird about that?
On the positive side, a lot of good explaing in this video for those not familiar with a capo! 👍Working with a female singer the most important thing for me is to play everything in a key she's comfortable with, so a capo is used in almost every song we do, because I wanna use specific chords and I dont wanna be restricted, like not being able to play a lot of open strings, something that I love and like you showed in this video!!
BTW, a tip that I got from Tommy Emmanuel (whose uses only Shubb 😊), after putting the capo on, push all the string gently downward, so the strings kind of "set" and the tuning will stay ok in every capo-position. Works great!! Regards, Coos
Putting the capo on backwards is like having the toilet paper backwards.
I use Thalia capos but before that Shubb. Both way better than Keiser.
👍😎🎸
Thx
I made this mistake Too.
But only one Minute than I saw and feel it 😅
God bless you 🙏
Klaus from Germany
🎸😎👍
Do you prefer the quick trigger cappos for the most part like the Keyser Sean or like the old traditional one like a screw where you can sort of adjust tension?
My guitar playing sucks and i didnt know about all the keys within the chords, so thank you.
Were can I find all the keys for the chords?
I just play chords and sing songs that suit my chords.
Why is it ok to leave the b string open for an A barre chord? at 11:26? Wouldn't become A add 9?
The Guitar sounds awesome
I no longer use the standard Kyser capos. I've used them for years but to me the spring is too strong and it will invariably sharpen the thinner strings on my electrics, especially the B string.
Kyser makes a capo with less spring tension for electrics.
That's true. But that means I'd have to buy two capos, one for my electrics and one for my acoustics, when I can buy one other-brand capo with an adjustable spring (which is what I have done and it cost me less too).
How one attaches their capo is personal preference. Glen Campbell put his on from the bottom. It seemed to work that way for him.
A capo can make your life a lot more fun, when you have a guitar with a high action.
I agree with another commentor. I also have a Kayser, but the G7th is a significantly better capo (costs a lot more 😢).
Seems, like this video (very deservingly) is taking off. It's capo on third for me, for those Cm and Eb keys
Not to mention F or B-flat.
when is was much younger i learned many song chord progressions in a key i could sing along to .. now that i'm older i find that i need to change the key in order to sing but don't want to re-learn the chords so using the capo has been a great 'tool' or as bob weir called it 'a cheater' .. one problem i have is that the capo does interfere with some chord shapes in particular the B7 .. so what model martin is being used here ??
I was using mine as a bookmark.... Boy was I wrong!!!
Dave Rawlings goes up to the 10th fret
Hey Sean great video butttttt you missed out the reason I use a Capo, well when I sing to a song my natural singing voice is G flat or aka F sharp so when I put the capo on the second fret Voila presto changeo the song now fits my voice and I sound a whole lot better. Just keep moving that kapo around folks until you find the magic spot for Your voice.
Oh Sean I have not herd you sing in one of videos yet, it would be nice to hear you sing do you have any posted? Oh by the way I use my Keslar capo upside down as it buzzes way less that way when I have to push it sideways making some close to the kapo cords, yes I am that much of a non conformist , please forgive my broken mold mind ways.
Finally. Yes I use it to sing a song better. Also gives the option of singing high head voice, or low voice!!
I gotta give it to ya kid; you can sell a capo....dang man, is there a video angle you haven't used yet - CZcams Master Sean Daniel ladies and gentlemen - I watch just to see the mastery (and because I love Elixir strings so much...dang...)
AND if you flip it over you have a partial capo. Bonus.
Ohhhhh ohhh I think my capo is way up there for "Here Comes The Sun " 😮
I like to tune down 1/2 step and then put my capo on the first fret just to mess with the other guitar players minds when they try to figure out what I'm doing.
Love my jack. Danials
Hum 7 note song with key of C G 145 236 789;
Love you. Bro
Hydration is most import ant er
Sorry, I disagree on your suggested capo placement close to the fret for 2 reasons: 1. Putting it right up next to the fret puts more downward pressure between the string and fret and will wear out frets more quickly and 2. Putting it close to the fret leaves less room for the fretting hand to to create chords - not a big deal on lower frets but capo on 7th for songs like Here Comes the Sun and your hand is very cramped. If you capo half way between the frets it eliminates both these problems. Some minor tuning adjustments are often needed but that’s no big deal. Last, Kaiser is about my least favorite capo - shubb is much better and the G7 Heritage is the cream of the crop if you’re willing to spend the $$.
How do you know if I’m doing it right or wrong? You’ve never seen me play. I refuse to watch videos that tell me I’m doing something wrong and they haven’t a clue who you are or how you are doing it.
It's Cappo that's Cap oh as in head of a mafia family...so unless you want a Crazy Horse head in your bed start pronouncing it correctly. Capiche?...apart from that Sean it was your usual informative and entertaining video...👍
One of the battery clips on my car broke so a capo is holding it connected.
I have to imagine your way is probably better tho
Use it to cheat different tunings
I use a capo as a crutch but I keep falling over
If you stay dehydrated you can't poop. Definitely not recommend. Ok.. I'll make a more intelligent comment when i finish watching the video 😂
this Kayser capo is probably the worst capo you can use for acoustic guitars...the tension is way to high on this thing...better should use shubb capos.
Its usually girls I see with capos. I know its supposed to help their vocal situation but it looks like it helps with short arms too.
Good introduction! Those big water companies have brainwashed the masses!😅
You say you're playing the key of a minor and then play all the chords from a major but still say you played a minor even though the a major chord can be seen to be played.
I tried many years ago to remove the capo as much as possible, but my wife the singer requires the timber that the capo provides.
NO WONDER MY GUITAR PLAYING SOUNDED SO WEIRD. I WAS PLAYING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAPO. O.M.G. 😂🤣 😂
common mistake
Why do people like this guy try to tell everyone they're doing something wrong if they do it a different way from them?
What happened to Andrea?
Damn, I’m more lost after watching this video. Learning guitar requires a Phd 😢
LOL...I play all kinds of songs and I'm lost.....I just play whatever sounds good.I think he's talking to people that play guitar with others....which I never have
😊😊😊😊😊
Here is how to use a capo…go into your case. Next take the capo out of the pocket. Next find the nearest circular waste receptacle and place the capo in the waste receptacle. Next take some lessons learn your shit. No capos.
Use a circle of five you going to make a lot more sense
Guilty of saying cappo instead of caypo. But I’m also guilty of being British. So it’s not so fancy to me…
Elliott all the way
I put the capo on from underneath. I will not allow you to bully me on this......../s
Me too
First of all, my capo is NOT shaped like your capo so don't rain on my frikn parade man (laughing). Of course, as a frikn beginner, you lost me at the music theory involved in using a capo (smile). Tks for showing me something I can use later down my musical road.
Pronounced cap o not cape o for good reason
Just like Sean is pronounced shorn and not seen
Caged with a capo ......sort of
Who cares how people use a capo or how much they understand of theory?
If it sounds good ....
BRAVO.
Your theory holds true if he wants to be a mediocre guitar player.
Music theory is definitely helpful.
@@mrbigg7255 helpful... but not a prerequisite to being better than "mediocre" player or a good to great songwriter and/or performer.
@@erickenneycreative Yep....I think this channel is for armchair wannabee sold out arena guitarists who think their way is the only "right" way.If it sounds good,who cares how you get there
Lot of talk here but no useful.jnformation at all. I think you dont really know much about using capos.
I find the way Americans pronounce "capo" funny, at first then downright.annoying, so this video is like torture - it does my head in ha ha! 🙂 I'm shouting "It's CAP oh - not CAPE Oh". I'd never heard anyone say CAPE Oh until youtube started. God I hope the rest of the world doesn't start pronouncing it this way - which may happen because of youtube ! I feel the same about solder but that's for another day...😀
If it helps, I get why it's "toe-maw-toe" instead of "toe-may-toe". Forgive our bad Latin lol.
2nd 😊😊❤
A#minor?
If you say "Cap-O" instead of "Kay-Po" you're NOT fancy, you're just wrong.
Drink a beer
Do you need 13 minutes for this..??