What is a Guitar Capo?

A guitar capo is a cool little piece of equipment. You could go your whole life without needing one, but they are sometimes the handiest way to quickly change the entire sound of your guitar. So, what exactly does a capo do? Do you need one? Let’s explore this.

What is Guitar Capo?

A capo is a small device - the size of your palm - which clamps down on strings across your guitar’s fretboard. It gives you a shorter area to play on, thus raising the pitch. In most cases, the capo is used across all six strings on a regular guitar, although it is possible to use it on only some strings.

Why is A Capo Used?

So, you can use your guitar capo to make your guitar a higher pitch. It’s a type of clamp for your fretboard. But did you know that capo is the Italian word for “head”? This is a fitting name considering that the capo is a little like a guitar’s nut. Your guitar’s nut, found on the headstock, prescribes where the strings’ vibrations end and the playable area stops. A capo does this too. So, a capo is a little like a moveable nut. 

But a guitar capo also does much more than this. Want an easy way just to make your playing sound better? Simply snap on your capo! Shortening the length of your fretboard  makes your guitar’s tone automatically brighter and higher. This allows the higher frequencies to ring out more, giving them a better sound. This improved sound is sometimes called the “voicing” of the guitar. For example, if you play an A chord with a capo on a higher fret, you simply transpose the chord into a different key.

A capo can also change the key of any song you already know. If you fancy achieving a different sound or want an easy way to modify a piece for a different vocal range, a capo can also come in handy. All you need to do is apply the capo.

But the most valid reason to use a guitar capo for beginners is to avoid those barre chords. Barre chords can be tricky, but transposing the song to play it with a capo means you won’t have to use your index finger.

Capos also open up so many new chords and sounds that you can explore new genres.

How Do You Use A Capo?

No matter the type, the basic process for applying any capo is always the same. Firstly, make sure your guitar is in tune, before locating the fret you want to use your capo on and cover all strings.

After this, you’ll want to check for fret buzz. Try strumming your guitar. Check that each string rings out clearly. If you notice any buzzing, just readjust the capo. Again, don’t move your capo up or down to avoid wear on your strings. Instead, take it off and reattach it. 

Check out this video to get further clarification.

The Different Types of Capos

There are a few different types of capo. Some feature a bar to clamp onto your strings, while another popular version has a rubber bar and material strap. Some people use partial capos rather than alternative tunings - but these are an advanced option. They all have the same essential tightening and clamping mechanism. 

Strap Capo

As the name suggests, strap capos attach to your guitar’s neck with a strap. This style of capo is just a bar with an elastic or tightenable fabric strap. This capo is the easiest to use and is a cheap option, but it can wear out quickly and may slip around while you’re using it, warping your sound.

Toggle Capo

These capos are just strap capos fastened into place with a latch-like toggle. So again, this isn’t expensive. But the toggle mechanism can interfere with your sound.

Spring or Trigger Capo

Ever seen one of those long plastic kitchen bag clips for pasta or crisps? This is the trigger capo. The clamp goes securely over your guitar’s neck but is still easy to remove. This durable capo will last you but can dig into your guitar’s wood or exert uneven tension, giving an unwanted tone.

Spring Capo

The spring capo is the same as a trigger capo, but with the uneven-tone problem resolved. This capo uses a spring to apply pressure to the neck. However, intonation problems can arise since this is still a one-sided capo. They’re practically partial capos if you aren’t careful!

Adjustable Screw Capo

Finally, a solution to the uneven intonation problem! Using a screw that you tighten, an adjustable screw capo applies even pressure to the back of your guitar’s neck through an arm. The only disadvantage is that you cannot take it off quickly. 

Then there are the complicated partial capos. As the name suggests, these capos only clamp down on some of the strings. But, again, this allows you to explore new sounds and different genres.

Buying a Guitar Capo

Yes, there is a wide variety of different capos available. But, as we mentioned, all capos work by the same primary mechanism. So if you are playing live and you need to switch to different keys often, a spring capo will most likely suffice.

Like other guitar accessories, guitar capos can be inexpensive. They are also widely available in music shops everywhere. But, a pricier capo with better quality materials can help protect your guitar if you will be using that capo often.

Using a Guitar Capo to Improve Your Playing

An essential accessory in any guitarist’s repertoire, taking some time to get to grips with what a capo is will help you immensely as you learn to play. 

A capo can simplify things, such as helping you reach a different range or helping you avoid barre chords. Equally, partial guitar capos allow you to get advanced and explore incredible new partial tuning-like sounds.

Looking for other ways to improve your playing? Contact me to see how I can help you become a better guitarist!