#136
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I play with a capo over 90% of the time. Seems like one of the obvious reasons that’s not really been stressed as much is that a capo can make it so much easier for your left hand if you are struggling with a long stretch. Tune the guitar down a 1/2 to 1 step and add the capo and the frets are closer. I do this a lot when learning a solo fingerstyle song and don’t even tune down. I just play in a different key to work out my left hand mechanics and then from there decide if I want to move the capo further down the neck or eventually take it off.
Plus, when you are working on a difficult song and it’s getting kind of old, add the capo and play in a different key/voicing and the song will take on a new personality that can keep you motivated. Capo’s are fun and for the most part make it easier for me, nothing wrong with that at all.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#137
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Quote:
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#138
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For those who are tired of this topic:
To some degree having topics like this pop up (again) is a great sign for Acoustic Guitar Forum. Because it means new people are joining. Of course new people will want to talk about some of the most common issues and topics; the use of a capo seems to be one of them. I’ve been an AGF user for a couple of years but have never seen this topic. But I don’t follow the forum every day. I “drop by” every so often to see what people are saying and maybe learn something. So to me this topic was interesting. Just another perspective! |
#139
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Another thing to consider is what people aspire to with their guitar playing. I know a few people whose primary instrument is the piano...they dabble in the guitar. They’re content to play cowboy chords (I hate that term) and just strum and play their favorite song on the couch and on the porch. Not everyone who plays the guitar aspires to be an expert or even one who performs publicly. That’s the great thing about the guitar...it’s an instrument that you can still play and have fun with just learning the bare minimum to get by. Or you can delve ever deeper into the guitar and learn to master all its complexities. Being a “lesser player” implies a lot of judgment. I say so what? If a person simply aspires to play the guitar in the simplest ways for their enjoyment I say we don’t judge them. Some people will rise to greatness as a player due to talent + aspirations and goals. Some will be content strumming three chord songs due to talent + aspirations and desires. The guitar world is big enough for both and we need not judge where anyone is at in this continuum.
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Liam F. 👽🖖🏼👑 🎶 |
#140
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capo considerations
what I see a capo as is simply a movable nut. If the presence of a nut (which all guitars must have) doesn't make you a lesser player, than why would a movable nut do the same? No matter where you place the capo the relationship between the strings remains the same unless you change the relative tuning of the guitar. The only situation that I could see usage of a capo become an obstacle to progressive learning and skill is if someone only learned to play songs in a couple of different keys in non capo, and constantly moved the capo so that all or most songs played used the same chord finger shapes - like all songs starting with a C chord fingering. In this case the player may be blocking his/her own potential to learn all the various voicings and inversions that are possible. Of course, there have been many popular song where the key it is written in partly or greatly contributes to the character of the song due to the presence of open strings and chord voicings that the key of the song tend to illicit. That can be a charming thing though, and bring nostalgia to those listening. In my acoustic trio we will often very purposely have one of the guitars capo up much higher than the other just to introduce another "range" of guitar, just in the way you may add a soprano singer to your quartet for sonic variety and expanded range and chording.
And sometimes, say if someone is getting older and losing their range, they may use a capo to alter the key so that their newly compromised voice will live in a more comfortable place. A funny thing thats happening now is that at 63 my voice is becoming higher, and the other guitarist's voice is getting lower! He is losing his range, and I'm gaining. Cant explain that but, we will occasionally make room for that by trying different keys and occasionally changing the key to accommodate the vocal range - but only if that doesn't sacrifice an important character in the guitars. So, although there may be a potential to to stunt some growth in guitar skill development, I see that there are allot more positive and creative reasons to use a capo than there are bad ones. Capo's can really expand the sonic pallette of your sound if used as an enhancement rather than a lazy compensation. Kuddo's to the capo! Best, Phil |
#141
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Here comes the sun without a capo ...
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#142
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I love seeing the Ovation guitars in these interviews with Glen! Capos are necessary to play some styles of music in keys that are suited to the vocals of a given song. Bluegrass is an example of music in which a lot of the licks and runs would be near impossible or very difficult to play without using a capo.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#143
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One of the most accomplished guitarist around is this guy:
Richard Thompson uses a capo on occasion, nothing lesser about his playing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0kJdrfzjAg |
#144
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I've been an AGF member for 14 years and can't recall seeing this as an issue before now....
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#145
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The capo is a tool, just like a looper is a tool, or just like a special effects pedal is a tool.
Use them, but don't over use them (become a crutch to not progress). My biggest crutch used to be special effects pedals (when I played electric back in the days when acne and teenage girls were my main concern) I've grown up some, still get acne from time to time and still have problems with middle aged women But, I've grown out of using crutches. Sure, I pull out a special effects pedal and a looper every once in a while, mostly to advance my thinking of what I am playing. But, not constantly. MGF |
#146
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A year or so ago someone brought up the issue here but they did it in a very aggressive and negative tone, pretty much deriding capo usage and users. It got real hot and was eventually closed. I do see this topic every now and then but it is a rare one.
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Liam F. 👽🖖🏼👑 🎶 |
#147
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Quote:
I’m just questioning the judgment here because this judgment is at the root of this capo debate. As long as there is a bit of stigma using one, calling it a crutch, at ANY skill level, then the perception that it’s usage is negative will continue.
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Liam F. 👽🖖🏼👑 🎶 |
#148
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I must have been napping or off swimming, but your comments (and my memory) are different than "it comes up with some regularity."
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#149
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I drive an automatic car (crutch) as opposed to manual.
I am not offended. Not sure why you find my response offending? MGF |
#150
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Ms. Tuttle and Mr. Taylor use capos frequently. If they're lesser, I'm proud to be lesser as well.
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Santa Cruz | Huss & Dalton | Lakewood Fan (and customer) of: -Charmed Life Picks -Organic Sounds Select Guitars -Down Home Guitars |