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Post subject: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:07 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Say you're writing a song or riff. If the song does not have either an E or A in it (standard tuning), is there any reason *not* to use a capo?

In other words, if the lowest note ever used in the song is an F, why not capo the first fret? The "zero" (as I think of it in my head) is never used. Any open strings hit, you'd want to be in the F chord, no? Without capo, you remove the ability to use open E, A, and D strings.

Doing more full full half full full full half thinking....I like to do weird combos on purpose, but there is a reason why the common progressions are usually what sounds good.

0 1 3 5 6 8 10 12
E F G A Bb C D E

or

0 2 3 5 7 9 10 12
E F# G A B C# D E

If you want to play a song/scale that never uses the 0, why not capo wherever the lowest note that ever appears in the song is?

I guess I'm saying why not always give yourself the ability to hit open strings and be in key?


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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:22 am
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Her Wanna wrote:
If the song does not have either an E or A in it (standard tuning), is there any reason *not* to use a capo?

The ability to switch between songs without pausing to adjust or remove the capo.

Her Wanna wrote:
I guess I'm saying why not always give yourself the ability to hit open strings and be in key?

What about a song in the key of D? The capo can't go past the nut, so that would put the capo at the 10th fret. Mandolin much? :? :D

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:25 am
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strings10927 wrote:
Her Wanna wrote:
If the song does not have either an E or A in it (standard tuning), is there any reason *not* to use a capo?

The ability to switch between songs without pausing to adjust or remove the capo.

Her Wanna wrote:
I guess I'm saying why not always give yourself the ability to hit open strings and be in key?

What about a song in the key of D? The capo can't go past the nut, so that would put the capo at the 10th fret. Mandolin much? :? :D


Okay, I guess I'm thinking of songs in F, F#, G, or Ab, mainly. By the way, doesn't D minor have an A and an E in it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_minor

I'm talking about any time no E or A ever appears in the song.


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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:57 am
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Even the best capos aren't perfect, you always have to correct the tuning when you use a capo. Then you bend a string and everything slips out of tune. I hate them with a passion.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:03 am
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Her Wanna wrote:
[By the way, doesn't D minor have an A and an E in it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_minor

I'm talking about any time no E or A ever appears in the song.


Ahhh, I assumed you meant the chords 'E' and 'A'. Now that really throws me for a loop. The only reason I've ever heard for using a capo is to make the chords more convenient, not the scale notes. IMO a scale doesn't sound any better with open notes, I like to scale notes to sound 'uniform'.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:34 am
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Thanks to modern innovations theres no need to use a capo on the neck.



:roll:


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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:41 am
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I find a capo extremely useful for replicating the hallmark chord progressions of certain songs where the original artist used one. Eg: "Free Falling" by Tom Petty, "Hotel California" by the Eagles, and many John Mellencougar compositions. A capo is a permanent fixture in my 12-string's case.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 11:47 am
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I love capo's. Also partial capo's are cool as hell too. I use a three string Shubb capo that you can capo the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings or the 2nd. 3rd or 4th. You can come up with some really original stuff if you're creative.

The bit by Gilga about going out of tune: the capo's not on right if that happens. It's too loose and able to be pushed out of position.

As proof look at a guy like Albert Collins who bends like crazy with the capo on. If it's fitted right there shouldn't be a problem.

Check out some of Harvey Reid's stuff with the partial capo. A fave is on the 2nd fret covering the 5th 4th and 3rd strings puts you in a suspended tuning with three open strings and three fretted with the capo. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:07 pm
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I just realised that the only time I ever use my capo is when I'm measuring the neck relief during a setup.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 12:13 pm
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Her Wanna wrote:
In other words, if the lowest note ever used in the song is an F, why not capo the first fret? The "zero" (as I think of it in my head) is never used. Any open strings hit, you'd want to be in the F chord, no? Without capo, you remove the ability to use open E, A, and D strings.

I think a better question would be ... why not just play it in E? A half step will make extremely little difference in how it sounds or how the key signature fits with one's vocal range.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:20 pm
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To play authentic Keith Richards in some songs a capo is required. Wanna use a capo? Use it. No need for second opinions. It's your style. Make it happen. When it come to our gear, to each their own.

Only sounding like kaka, when that is not the intention, requires an intervention. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:03 am
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I'm playing out a lot these days as a solo performer and I use a capo for about five out of the 360 songs that are on my current play list. I just couldn't get those five songs to sound right without the capo.

I recently played several gigs with a band I was contemplating joining. The female lead singer (who had a range about the same as mine) was obsessed with doing songs in the key of C# and/or C#m. I had to capo almost every song she sang and it got very tiresome. After three very low-paying gigs, I withdrew.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:10 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I find a capo extremely useful for replicating the hallmark chord progressions of certain songs where the original artist used one. Eg: "Free Falling" by Tom Petty, "Hotel California" by the Eagles, and many John Mellencougar compositions. A capo is a permanent fixture in my 12-string's case.

Arjay



+1 I think it's a great tool. It's fun and I don't rely on it, and personally, I use it as a rhythm tool not a lead guitar tool. I wouldn't bend strings with it at all. It's not made for that. I don't have any major intonation or tuning issues on any of my 6 or 12 string acoustics or electrics. Some songs just don't sound right without it.

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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:18 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
IMO a scale doesn't sound any better with open notes, I like to scale notes to sound 'uniform'.


Ahhh but that's where you are wrong, imho. Notes/chords closest to the headstock tend sound richer/warmer, where as notes/chords farthest away are more percussive with some guitars. On other guitars richness'warmth maybe in the middle. There is always a reason for playing anything open or up the fretboard or capoed, it is not the same, imho! :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Capo
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:19 pm
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I've used a capo for a few things I've demoed, to change the key a bit so I can play open chords. I have on of those Planet Waves NS Design capos and I find it to work quite well for me. I've even used it on my bass for the hell of it and it even works for that.

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