A capo (short for capotasto) is a small device that locks across the neck of a stringed instrument to raise the pitch instantly without the need to manually tune the instrument keys. They’re most commonly found on guitars and banjos. A capo raises the pitch one half-step, also known as a semitone, at each successive fret when it is placed as close to the fret as possible. Jose Patino Gonzalez (1829-1902) of Spain, a Flamenco guitarist, invented it.
A capo can be a very useful instrument. Let’s say a guitarist performs a song in the key of C, but is getting together with a friend who performs the same song in the key of D. A capo on the second fret, rather than transposing the song from C to D, raises the guitar’s pitch by a whole step. In standard tuning, playing a C chord will now be the same as playing a D chord. The two friends can perform the song together, each using chords that they are familiar with.
It’s also common to learn a song by a favorite recording artist that is outside of your vocal range. A capo allows the guitarist to change the song’s key while keeping the chording and fingerwork the same as the original.
A musician may choose to use a capo on four strings while leaving the bass strings open in some cases. This is a simple method for achieving custom tuning for specific songs. This tool could also be used by a musician to write a song in a flat or sharp key while maintaining the more familiar and comfortable chording of a major key.
In the same way that a barred chord sounds different from its corresponding open chord, capoed chords have a slightly different quality than their uncapoed counterparts. The further up the neck a capo is placed on an acoustic steel-stringed guitar, the more mandolin-like the effect. When played against an open guitar, the distinct sound it produces can be a pleasant contrast that adds something extra to a song. In many of their songs, acoustic bands like the Indigo Girls make extensive use of this technique.
The traditional strap capo, the clamp or lever Shubb capo, and the newer G7 clutch-activated capo are three popular types.
A harness strap encircles the neck and loops back around to lock into teeth on the upward facing bar in the traditional strap capo. This is the least expensive option, as well as the least noticeable. The teeth, on the other hand, can make for some clumsy adjustments. A capo that is too tight can pull the instrument out of tune, while one that is too loose can reduce pitch and brightness.
The Shubb capo has an adjustable lever that clamps down on the back of the neck and uses tension to hold the front bar in place. This type of capo is more flexible than a strap capo because it does not encircle the entire neck like a strap capo. It can be used for unconventional tuning strategies. It’s also easier to set and release than the traditional type, but it does take some strength to do so.
When the G7 capo is placed on the neck, it has an internal hub and spring mechanism that tightens based on how hard it is squeezed. By releasing the spring, a finger tang on the back side allows for easy removal. Unlike a Shubb, this capo works on a wide range of neck thicknesses without requiring manual adjustments to the capo itself. There’s also direct control over how tightly the tool is applied, which reduces the risk of pulling the instrument out of tune or setting it too light. Some consider the G7-style to be a superior tool for all of these reasons.
Capos can be found in any store that sells stringed instruments or their accessories.