Q&A: Why Use a Capo?

Lesson #178 • Sep 29, 2018

Editor’s notes

One of my Patreon supporters recently wrote in with a question about using capos. How do they work? What’s the best kind? What are the different ways they can be used when playing a song? In this video, I happily give my answers!

Video timestamps:

0:00 Video Overview
2:45 Benefit #1: Being Able to Play Along with Others
4:47 Benefit #2: Moving A Song Into Your Vocal Range
6:25 Benefit #3: Make Finger Stretches Easier
7:26 Benefit #4: Makes Barre Chords Easier
8:07 Benefit #5: Changing Up the Sound
9:36 Benefit #6: Play a Song with Simpler Chords

Which Capo I Use

The capo model I’ve always used: https://amzn.to/2xIjZeb. Note, I earn a small commission if you purchase via this link.

What Other Teachers Say About Capos

To be clear, the clamp-type capo is the only type I’ve ever used, and I’m pretty unaware of the pros & cons. For example, in this video from Lessons with Marcel he explains why he doesn’t prefer this sort of capo. Note, this video is coming at things from a bluegrass-centric point of view:

To round things out, here’s Justin Sandercoe’s take on capos:

And here’s another video from Justin, explaining how you can use a capo to play the same chords with different grips:

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Q&A: Why Use a Capo?

Editor’s notes

Which Capo I Use

What Other Teachers Say About Capos

Browse Related Lessons

About Song Notes

Get Free Lessons Each Week!

Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Capo Captain

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Recent Lessons

Major Key Cheat Sheets: Must-Know Chords, Scales, and Fretboard Diagrams

"Stuff That Works" by Guy Clark

Monday Morning Triad Practice! (Key of A Major)

"Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison

Practicing Major Arpeggios in Each CAGED Shape

Travel Guitar... Worth It, or a Waste? (Taylor GS Mini review, 3 years later)

Creating a Fingstyle Arrangement from Scratch (feat. Graceland by Paul Simon)

"Bouncing Around the Room" by Phish

Simple Way to Travis Pick Any Song (Key of C)

"Summertime Blues" by Zach Bryan

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