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How Does A Capo Help You Change Keys?

By Mike Hayes | June 24, 2010

Once you have learned the basic open string chords on guitar you
are faced with the prospect of learning bar chords or trying to
work out how to get that crisp, clear open string sound in other
keys by using a capo.

Both bar chords and open string chords have there place in guitar
music it all depends on the style of music you are playing and
the type of musical texture you want to achieve from your guitar;
with bar chords you use a small number of chords shapes that are
moveable all over the guitar fingerboard whereas when using a
capo the chords a generally in one position on the guitar.

How a capo works:

Most guitar players are familiar with the basic open string
chords in the key of “G” so I’ll use these chords as examples of
how versatile your playing can be if you understand how the capo
works.

Basic chords in the Key of G

G /// | C /// | D /// | G /// ||

With the capo placed behind the first fret this chord progression
becomes:

Ab /// | Db /// | Eb /// | Ab /// ||

Isn’t that neat; we didn’t have to learn any new shapes on the
guitar we just had to place the capo behind the first fret.

Stop reading this article for a moment and try it for yourself;
notice how these familiar chord shapes sound fresh and brand new,
it does visually take a bit of getting used to the new
positioning of the chords on the fingerboard so that’s why I
suggest you practice using the capo in your practice sessions
regularly.

Next let’s place the capo behind the second fret, once you have
done that our original chord progression becomes:

A /// | D /// | E /// | A /// ||

Now that’s a bit of a surprise for many guitarists who probably
already know how to play these exact same chords as chord in the
open position; by using the capo it gives the guitarist (a) an
alternative set of chord shapes and sounds for our music and (b)
an ideal way of making the most of two guitars; if you are
playing in a duo setting have one guitar play the A – D and E
chords in the open position while the second guitarist plays the
A – D and E chords using the G – C – and D chord shapes with the
capo behind the second fret.

I’m now going to place the capo behind the third fret to produce
the following set of chords:

Bb /// | Eb /// | F /// | Bb /// ||

With the capo behind the fourth fret we produce these chords

B /// | E /// | F# /// | B /// ||

So there you have it! I have only played the same three easy
chord shapes of G, C and D for all these chord progressions the
trick is to know the name of the chord and key you are playing in
when you use a capo as it will make it so much easier to
communicate your ideas to other musicians that are playing piano,
bass, flute etc., who obviously will not be using a capo.

Try using a capo regularly in your practice sessions that way you
will begin to recognize the unique sound a chord has on
particular fret when it’s played with a capo on the guitar.

Topics: Capo, Guitar Chords, Guitar Fretboard, Guitar Tips | No Comments »

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