8 Reasons Why Using a Capo is Great for Your Guitar Playing
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1. Using a capo allows you to play more songs with fewer chords
One of the greatest pros, for many guitarists, especially beginners (or those who are mainly singers and want to accompany their singing), is the fact that using a capo allows you to play more songs without learning more chords.
If you can learn just 5 chords, are able to change back and forth between them, then you can play 1000s of songs just by using a capo. With a capo, just the simple chords of G, D, C, Em, Am can open up new avenues to your guitar playing.
2. Using a capo allows you to play chords that would otherwise be impossible
There are some really cool sounding chords out there that are impossible to play without a capo. For example, The Smiths’ Johnny Marr plays some awesome chord voicings, which aren’t possible to play without using a capo. Songs such as ‘Fast Car’ by Tracy Chapman and ‘Scarborough Fair’ by Simon and Garfunkel are be impossible to play in the original key without using a capo and these examples are just the tip of the iceberg.
Some people think, wrongly, that a capo is a cheat’s tool. Without a capo, many songs would be impossible to play on a guitar at all. It is really a tool to make a guitar even more versatile and is not to be overlooked.
3. Using a capo helps songwriting and composition
There are many different techniques you can use to write a song on a guitar, but one of the simplest is to adapt a song you already know to a point it is no longer recognisable and is unique sounding to you. One of the ways to do this is to use a capo.
You can take a set of chords from a song you know, add a capo at any fret position and it will sound different. Then change the strum pattern and it will sound even more different. Change other aspects of the piece and it will become completely unrecognisable compared to the original.
A capo can make things sound drastically different and is a really cool tool for song writing.
4. Change the key to suit a singer
Using a capo is a wonderful tool for changing keys to suit a singer’s voice. If you are taking a song that is in totally the wrong key for a singer, you can put a capo on to make it higher, or if there is already a capo on, move it higher or even move it lower if the song is too high for the singer.
When women play and sing songs originally sung by men, they sometimes like using a capo as, generally, females have higher pitched voices than males, but as Geddy Lee from Rush will attest to this isn’t always the case.
5. Using a capo makes playing the chords easier
Using a capo will almost always make the chords feel a little easier which will allow you to play more songs and have more fun which will encourage you to practice more. All of which will make you a better player.
For example, Play a C chord with no capo. Then play a C chord with a capo on fret 4. It will feel easier. When a chord feels easier to play, they are often easier to change to and from as well. The frets are just that bit closer together which makes playing the chord easier and as your fingers don’t have to travel as far, makes chord changes easier too. Unless you have exceptionally large fingers or a guitar with a neck that is too small for you, it is certain that you will find it easier to play using a capo than without.
There are those who will moan and say this is cheating but why would you want to make playing a guitar harder than it needs to be.
6. Using a capo leaves your fingers feeling less sore
One of the perks of playing higher up the neck of the guitar is that it feels a little easier on the fingers. The amount of pressure needed to fret a note at the 6th fret for instance rather than the 1st fret is usually noticeably less.
Using a capo anywhere above the 1st fret usually means you will stop needing to press as hard and because you don’t have to stretch your fingers a lot when playing chords, they are more relaxed. Being more relaxed is a very good thing - using the smallest amount of pressure required to fret a note cleanly will allow you to play for longer and with less soreness.
Keep that in mind especially if you suffer with sore fingers after a practice session.
7. Using a capo creates a different tone
Playing with a capo gives you different ways to play the same chord, each of which will have a slightly different tone.
For example, if you play a G Major chord with no capo. Then put a capo on the 5th fret and play a D Major chord. Have a good listen to the two. Both are G Major chords, yet they both sound slightly different because of the combination of notes involved. One is deeper and bassier and the other is thinner and janglier. It’s a matter of opinion which one sounds best (depends on the situation). The two tones complement each other nicely and create a different flavour which is handy for when two guitars are playing the same parts.
8. Using a capo gives your left hand a rest
If you play long sessions and want to give your fretting hand a rest (particularly from barre chords), start using a capo. You don’t get extra marks for making things tougher on yourself. Give your fretting hand the occasional break when it needs it.
There you have it - 8 different reasons why using a capo can be a very good thing for your guitar playing. Don’t let anyone tell you they are for cheats. They are probably just wishing they had thought of it first.