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CB wrote:
Hi, guitar beginner here. My question is (sorry if this sounds
dumb): if a tab says that i have to use a capo, can i still play
using the same chords (for strumming) without the capo? i don't know
much about music theory, but i am guessing this will merely lower
the key, is that right?
Thanks.
-CB
Hi, guitar beginner here. My question is (sorry if this sounds
dumb): if a tab says that i have to use a capo, can i still play
using the same chords (for strumming) without the capo? i don't know
much about music theory, but i am guessing this will merely lower
the key, is that right?
Thanks.
-CB
You're right, for most uses of the capo. Imagine you're playing a song in the key of G major using chord shapes for open G, open Am, open C and open D. Add a capo at the third fret, and you're in the key of Bb now. Your hands are playing G major shapes, but the sound is three frets higher. Take off the capo and you're back in G major.
Problems (or cool alternate voicings) arise when you play with other musicians. Somebody else might have learned the song in Bb, using barre chords (Bb, Cm, Eb, and F). This means someone's part will have to change - either you slap ther capo back on, or the barre-chord player learns the open chords. But the contrast of open and capo'd guitars can be very cool, so try exploring that when you get a chance.
Another interesting point about using the capo is that it changes the tone of the guitar. Consider Bonnie Raitt, who almost always plays slide with a capo at the fifth fret. There's a certain tone she gets that can't be gotten any other way. Or "Here Comes the Sun," played with a capo on the seventh fret - to my ears, it just sounds more like the original when played with a capo.
I'm sure other cafe regulars will have more to say about this...! And by the way, the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask!
Douglas Baldwin, coyote-at-large
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