Capo question

Anastasia

Some of the music theory guys could better explain ... but I think using the capo moves the notes up in a different octave

Anastasia

without treading on Jerome's reply which is bang on correct.

If you play a G chord without the capo, you are playing G

If you put a capo on the 2nd fret and hold the G chord down ( as in the same shape of chord you would do for G) it is not actually a G. As jerome says you are making the key go higher so since the capo is on the 2nd fret the actual chord you are playing is an A chord.

if playing the shape of a G chord with the capo on

1st fret         actually is G#
2nd fret                        A
3rd                               A#
4th                               B
5th                               C
6th                               C#

etc etc

Also with other chords  A chord with capo on the 2nd is B

If you find a song you like and you do not like the chords then you can transpose them to chords that are easier to play.
If you find you cannot sing along while playing those chords then use the capo. Try different frets until you find your pitch.

hope this helps a bit

Ken

Thank you so much for the lesson on the capo. I imagine because I don't know anything about music theory, that's why it doesn't make sense to me.

For instance, Ken, you suggested that I transpose chords; I have no clue where or how to do that. So that's the limit of my knowledge.

Also, for example, the song "Love is Free" by Sheryl Crow tells me Capo 5. Now when I play the chords A, Bm, E, (etc), the song does not sound right. That is probably because I am now in a different key, right? So that is why I don't understand it, because I don't know what key I should be in.

Anyway, if it's not too much trouble, can someone explain? Otherwise, I may have to take some music lessons,

Thanks All very much. (PS:  I have been practicing steadily for 5 1/2 months, and I can't believe the improvement!!!)

A.

thank you thank you thank you!  Quite an informative site for me!!! Did I say thank you?

Also, one last question: regarding the key of, if you play chords on a guitar without any capo, what key is the guitar in? (Does that make sense?)

Thanks!!!!!
anastsasia

hi,

When you go onto a song you can transpose the song by looking to the right hand side. There is an option to "transpose". if you go in there and click +2 it will transpose the song up two frets ( meaning it is going up two keys) If the song start in the chord A originally it will transpose ( change) it to starting in the chord B +2 makes it C etc etc

playing a guitar with no capo is playing it "Open". It depends what chords you use that determines the Key you are playing in.

if you go here, you can see things about scales, keys, chords, notes.

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php

I  found this site really useful and still use it sometimes.

ken

yes but it might sound different though it will be the correct key.

And yes, if it tell you to play a capo on 2nd 5th fret etc, you will put it there and play the chords it tells you i.e A G, play those, even though they are not making the tone of an A or G etc.

Ken