Probably very stupid gtr capo question
Discussion
I've played guitar for 30 years (though not my primary instrument), but have never needed or used a capo (that's what an index finger is for!). However, I'm now doing a bit of teaching to a singer with limited chord knowledge - and doesn't do bar chords, who needs to use a capo as she needs to change key for her range.
Am I right in assuming I just write the chords out as in 'D7, C min, A' etc which she will know, and then just treat the capo as the 'nut' moving it up as needed? ...(not even mentioning F#7 if she wants key of D transposed two tones up... letting the capo do the thinking for her?)
Just seems wrong (to me only I'm sure) writing a D7 when I want to hear an F#7!
Told you it was stupid. I assume this is a given... but as I've never done capo before, (apart from Da Capo... so we can skip the back to the top jokes). I thought I'd check. It's not the sort of thing that googles well.
TIA
Am I right in assuming I just write the chords out as in 'D7, C min, A' etc which she will know, and then just treat the capo as the 'nut' moving it up as needed? ...(not even mentioning F#7 if she wants key of D transposed two tones up... letting the capo do the thinking for her?)
Just seems wrong (to me only I'm sure) writing a D7 when I want to hear an F#7!
Told you it was stupid. I assume this is a given... but as I've never done capo before, (apart from Da Capo... so we can skip the back to the top jokes). I thought I'd check. It's not the sort of thing that googles well.
TIA
Common practice is, AIUI, to write the chord shape in words, e.g.D7 and an instruction to capo at whatever fret. What the new chord is isn't usually stated.
Or she could do what I do, and get a Roland VG-99 with a suitable guitar, and program it to transpose
Edited to add-
It's customary for the guitar to go slightly out of tune when fitting the capo but that doesn't indicate anything wrong with the guitar, and the best types are the sort with a sort of handgrip type spring, looks a bit like a large clamp, you often see them clamped to the headstock of Country singers' guitars when not in use.
Having said that, the fabric type with a plastic bit at the front and a series of notches that the lever tensioner is fitted to (so as to allow for the different neck thicknesses) give more room for the player's hand.
Or she could do what I do, and get a Roland VG-99 with a suitable guitar, and program it to transpose
Edited to add-
It's customary for the guitar to go slightly out of tune when fitting the capo but that doesn't indicate anything wrong with the guitar, and the best types are the sort with a sort of handgrip type spring, looks a bit like a large clamp, you often see them clamped to the headstock of Country singers' guitars when not in use.
Having said that, the fabric type with a plastic bit at the front and a series of notches that the lever tensioner is fitted to (so as to allow for the different neck thicknesses) give more room for the player's hand.
Edited by singlecoil on Friday 14th June 14:24
singlecoil said:
the best types are the sort with a sort of handgrip type spring, looks a bit like a large clamp, you often see them clamped to the headstock of Country singers' guitars when not in use.
Kyser brand. Playing live, I wouldn't use anything else.
As mentioned they are quite large which is a bit of a pain if you have large hands, but if yours' are small and girlish like mine (;)) they're just fine. They're so easy to use that key changes mid song aren't impossible.
davepoth said:
singlecoil said:
the best types are the sort with a sort of handgrip type spring, looks a bit like a large clamp, you often see them clamped to the headstock of Country singers' guitars when not in use.
Kyser brand. Playing live, I wouldn't use anything else.As mentioned they are quite large which is a bit of a pain if you have large hands, but if yours' are small and girlish like mine (;)) they're just fine. They're so easy to use that key changes mid song aren't impossible.
... just wanted to know how to score... but ta for the info. Looks the dogs.ETA... the best guitarist I've ever met sometimes uses one in sessions where specific inversions are needed, so I must admit there are times when they can be of use.
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 15th June 14:19
GetCarter said:
I'll never use one - I have an index finger ... just wanted to know how to score... but ta for the info. Looks the dogs.
ETA... the best guitarist I've ever met sometimes uses one in sessions where specific inversions are needed, so I must admit there are times when they can be of use.
Thing with using your index finger as a barre is that it with most players that only leaves three with which to fret notes, and sometimes that isn't enough.... just wanted to know how to score... but ta for the info. Looks the dogs.ETA... the best guitarist I've ever met sometimes uses one in sessions where specific inversions are needed, so I must admit there are times when they can be of use.
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 15th June 14:19
Added to that, the use of a capo a few frets up from the nut can actually change the sound of an acoustic in quite a pleasant way.
No need to get in a twist! As mentioned even the best sometimes use them (I mean the highest paid session player in the UK uses them from time to time). He has LOTS of them with assorted 'stops'.
Most of the time, he'll ignore them like the plague mind. He hates them too.
But once in a while one doesn't have enough digits... or more likely is playing with a singer who needs a certain pattern played in a certain key.
Most of the time, he'll ignore them like the plague mind. He hates them too.
But once in a while one doesn't have enough digits... or more likely is playing with a singer who needs a certain pattern played in a certain key.
GetCarter said:
No need to get in a twist!
I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly wasn't getting in a twist. I just felt it was appropriate to point out that there are sometimes advantages to using capos, and that it doesn't imply that anyone is less of a player for doing so, (or for using a VG-99 for the same purpose ).singlecoil said:
GetCarter said:
No need to get in a twist!
I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly wasn't getting in a twist. I just felt it was appropriate to point out that there are sometimes advantages to using capos, and that it doesn't imply that anyone is less of a player for doing so, (or for using a VG-99 for the same purpose ).Anyway.. don't want to get into arguments about capos! Never use the bloody things. Got my answer on the first post, so thanks all... outahere.
Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 15th June 16:14
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