[NoobToPro]

Hi!
Im sorry for bombarding sooo many question but really.. i need to know this.
Im planning to get a capo real soon and i wish to know, when using a capo, example, im playing G, D, Em, C
When i use a capo on the 4th fret, do i still put my finger the same way as i put my finger without the capo to play the chord?
Or when using a capo, the G, d, em and c chord we will have to use a different position to play the chord?

Also, what does a capo do? Does it let u song become light and bouncy ?
Do help, thanks SOOO MUCH!

[Lcjones]

Yes. You still play the same way. You're just starting on different frets.

Without a capo, your guitar has what is termed a "nut". The nut is usually a white piece of plastic between the fretboard and the tuning machines and have grooves guiding the strings to their respective tuning machines.

The capo becomes an adjustable nut. You can move it any where on the fretboard you desire. Your chord positions are exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the key or pitch you are playing in.

**
LC

[allthumbs]

What Les said. Make sure you don't get the stretchy band capo with the brass rings in it. It will scratch your neck.

[NoobToPro]

Hmm.. no wonder when im playhing How to save a life by The fray and Collide by Howie Day, i cant get the same kind of light feel and the same kind of sound. Im nearly there, but just not there...
Its stated that i need to put my capo at the 4th fret.

[Lcjones]

I keep four capo's hanging on my recording desk at all times. I have several more in guitar case pockets. Capo's are a staple of a guitarists diet.

Don't leave home without one.

**
LC

[NoobToPro]

Hmm alright..
so... If i attach a capo at 4th fret and play the song, will it give me a lighter sound and a bouncier sound?
Cause currently when I play without a capo, it sounded very dull while the original is very lively.

[Aunt Doty]

Check out this lesson of Kirk's : Transposing and using a capo

[NoobToPro]

Originally Posted by Aunt Doty

Check out this lesson of Kirk's : Transposing and using a capo

Hmm yeah I went there before I started this thread.
But I still dont fully understand whether will a capo changes the sound of a chord.

Hmm so i guess i will stilll put my finger the same way it is even tho i attach a capo. Just that the capo when I attach it at 4th fret, the capo becomes my 1st fret and I will start playing my chords as per normal from the 4th fret, treating it as if its the 1st fret.
Any mistake so far?

[Lcjones]

A capo changes the key you play in.

A D Chord - Standard tuning/pitch No Capo

|----|--2-|----|----|----|------
|----|----|--3-|----|----|------
|----|--2-|----|----|----|------
|----|----|----|----|----|------
|----|----|----|----|----|------
|----|----|----|----|----|------

A D Chord Tone ( C position) - Standard Tuning/pitch - Capo'd on the 2nd Fret

|----|--I-|----|----|----|------
|----|--I-|--1-|----|----|------
|----|--I-|----|--0-|----|------
|----|--I-|----|--2-|----|------
|----|--I-|----|----|--3-|------
|----|--I-|----|----|----|------



Yes the tone will change in two ways. First, you're capo'd up two frets, so any open strings will be pitched higher. Second, the D chord itself will change because you are fingering "different" frets to achieve the the same D chord tone.

Now, if you capo up two frets and play the original D position like in the first illustration, you are changing KEYS altogether. Without a capo you are playing the Key of D. Using the same chord fingering position four frets higher will but you into the Key of E. Completely different.


A D Chord Position- Standard Tuning/pitch - Capo'd on the 2nd Fret
will put you in to the Key of E

|----|--I-|----|--2-|----|------
|----|--I-|----|----|--3-|------
|----|--I-|----|--2-|----|------
|----|--I-|----|----|----|------
|----|--I-|----|----|----|------
|----|--I-|----|----|----|------


**
LC

[NoobToPro]

Hmm I see, thanks a lot.

[Lcjones]

A little humor here .......
I know AT will enjoy this ....

Professionally-Trained Singing Teacher, Who’s Unaccustomed To Dealing With Guitarists (PTSTWUTDWG): Oh, I love “Dark as a Dungeon!” What key do you usually sing it in?

My Poor, Unsuspecting Guitar Student (MPUGS): Um…well, I do capo 4, but I play it in G.

PTSTWUTDWG: So you play it in G?

MPUGS: Yeah, but capo 4.

PTSTWUTDWG (sweat forming on her brow): So is it in G or not?

MPUGS: Well, see, I play it in G like this (puts the capo on 4th fret and strums a chord), but the capo’s on the 4th fret.

PTSTWUTDWG: That’s not a G chord (plays a G chord on the piano). THAT’s a G chord

MPUGS: Yeah, this G’s different ‘cause it’s capo 4.

Long Silence…

[allthumbs]

Yes. It's just the same, but not.