Sincere question. I'm not in our church band, but the worship minister capo's most songs at either the third or fifth fret. It makes the songs almost impossible for most of us mere humans to sing along with. In fact, he looks a bit strained too with using a falsetto to shouting style. My thought is why not tune down to Eb or keep it open, so more of the congregation can sing? I get some songs are in certain keys, but higher up the fret board seems to make them harder to sing. Thanks.
Why are capo's used so much?
- Thread starter Telepi
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dougstrum
Friend of Leo's
I put a capo on to play slide in a band I was in~ the bass player said all you church guys all use capos
I think most acoustic players use them so they can have comfortable/familiar chord fingerings on hymns in Bb, Ab, Eb, and F.
I think most acoustic players use them so they can have comfortable/familiar chord fingerings on hymns in Bb, Ab, Eb, and F.
I’ve wondered the same thing.
My guess is that it allows for using the same G & C chords in a higher key. Many of them only know how to play the chords for the key of G.
My guess is that it allows for using the same G & C chords in a higher key. Many of them only know how to play the chords for the key of G.
GoldieLocks
Friend of Leo's
Lazy guitar OWNERS use capo's "So Much". and because their callouses haven't ever developed to play F, Ab, and Eb chords.
Capos are great if you're reaching for certain tonal things -- but they shouldn't necessarily be used because of EASE and REGURGITATION of known chord shapes. I've been playing for 40 years ---- and i've NEVER used a capo on stage (or anywhere for that matter. I do own 2 of them though). But they are useful at times. You can even build a style around them (Albert Collins with his Telecaster. The Ice Man)
But PLEASE: do not be dumb enough to just throw them on and assume you will be in tune with the piano or keyboard or... You'll probably will be out by a few degrees.
I've had a few acoustic guitar players insert their Capos on the wrong frets and proceed to embarrass the entire band by playing in the wrong key... they usually attempt to blame the band. No!
Capos are great if you're reaching for certain tonal things -- but they shouldn't necessarily be used because of EASE and REGURGITATION of known chord shapes. I've been playing for 40 years ---- and i've NEVER used a capo on stage (or anywhere for that matter. I do own 2 of them though). But they are useful at times. You can even build a style around them (Albert Collins with his Telecaster. The Ice Man)
But PLEASE: do not be dumb enough to just throw them on and assume you will be in tune with the piano or keyboard or... You'll probably will be out by a few degrees.
I've had a few acoustic guitar players insert their Capos on the wrong frets and proceed to embarrass the entire band by playing in the wrong key... they usually attempt to blame the band. No!
CapnCrunch
Friend of Leo's
Preach it Goldie!
Danjabellza
Friend of Leo's
Depends on the player and the guitar. I had a worship leader who played a vintage Gibson with some potential structural damage, but it sounded amazing. The issue was string tension with standard tuning was too much for the bridge. So he played it tuned 1-1.5 steps down then capo’d at the third fret to bring it up to pitch with less tension. Otherwise it’s so they can practice songs in say the same key, then use the capo to transpose them to different keys for the service.
IowaTeleGuy
TDPRI Member
Because despite all our rage we are still just rats playing CAGED
Our WL uses one so he can play in the key of G in most cases. Sheer laziness really. Playing an acoustic in D , C or E sounds pretty awesome . I used to use one when I played in Ab or Bb , but less these days as I don’t care for capos on electrics.
A capo is a tool, and it can be used to maximize continuity of sound (eg, open strings) and conservation of movement, both of which contribute to confidence in (and ease of) performance. There is nothing lazy about deliberate, thoughtful capo use.
mexicanyella
Poster Extraordinaire
I used to play electric guitar in a band with an acoustic-electric guy, and he was usually capoed up to achieve different voicings of the same chord, for better blending and tonal richness. Sometimes we’d both capo, but almost never on the same fret and usually with me lower than him because it just seemed to sound better that way. Some of the time he was sneaking up on mandolin territory.
He really liked movable variations of the C and F shape, but played lots of other shapes too. He had the capo pretty well figured out.
Having to decipher and keep up with his logic definitely gave me a kick in the transposition ability!
He really liked movable variations of the C and F shape, but played lots of other shapes too. He had the capo pretty well figured out.
Having to decipher and keep up with his logic definitely gave me a kick in the transposition ability!
thesamhill
Tele-Afflicted
The immediate advice would be just ask him.
3rd is pretty standard if you need to get the keys of Bb or Eb, and there was some "common wisdom" floating around when I played for a summer camp that Eb was the key that the highest percentage of people can sing in. No idea if that's true but he might have heard that and is trying to play in Eb for the good of the group, and Eb s not super easy to play in on acoustic.
5th is a little odd because the cowboy chord forms in the 5th are keys that are pretty easy to play open.
But just to point out, the capo doesn't make you sing higher. It just voices the guitar higher. If you want to sing in D, you can sing the same notes playing open D chords or C chords with capo 2, or G chords capo 7. It's all the same key of D.
Also, I've played acoustic for decades and use capos all the time. I've got a song in Twanger Central that I fingerpick using two capos at the same time so maybe I'm extra lazy, lol.. Feel free to give a listen and post me a video if you can get the same sound playing bar chords. Id definitely be impressed to see that.
3rd is pretty standard if you need to get the keys of Bb or Eb, and there was some "common wisdom" floating around when I played for a summer camp that Eb was the key that the highest percentage of people can sing in. No idea if that's true but he might have heard that and is trying to play in Eb for the good of the group, and Eb s not super easy to play in on acoustic.
5th is a little odd because the cowboy chord forms in the 5th are keys that are pretty easy to play open.
But just to point out, the capo doesn't make you sing higher. It just voices the guitar higher. If you want to sing in D, you can sing the same notes playing open D chords or C chords with capo 2, or G chords capo 7. It's all the same key of D.
Also, I've played acoustic for decades and use capos all the time. I've got a song in Twanger Central that I fingerpick using two capos at the same time so maybe I'm extra lazy, lol.. Feel free to give a listen and post me a video if you can get the same sound playing bar chords. Id definitely be impressed to see that.
All has to do with the singers range, and if they are trying to match recordings of modern worship songs. Most are too high for me.
I'm a baritone but a guitar player first, for decades, before become an occasional worship leader/singer. So, I'm mostly doing songs in G and E and at first position. I can easily grab a E w/G# in the bass while playing and singing.
I don't expect full time leaders with moderate guitar skills to do that. They can use a capo if it makes it easier to sing and play if need be.
However, most importantly, they should be mindful that they keep songs in congregational singing ranges.
Also, I'm in a band and the lead singer uses a capo all the time, sounds good and he's used to it. Hasn't ever stopped me from playing the same songs w/out one.
I'm a baritone but a guitar player first, for decades, before become an occasional worship leader/singer. So, I'm mostly doing songs in G and E and at first position. I can easily grab a E w/G# in the bass while playing and singing.
I don't expect full time leaders with moderate guitar skills to do that. They can use a capo if it makes it easier to sing and play if need be.
However, most importantly, they should be mindful that they keep songs in congregational singing ranges.
Also, I'm in a band and the lead singer uses a capo all the time, sounds good and he's used to it. Hasn't ever stopped me from playing the same songs w/out one.
Lineville65
TDPRI Member
Sometimes for the singer range. Sometimes with me playing the open chord (C as an example) while the acoustic player plays G capo’d at 5th or vice versa to give the sound some extra depth. Sometimes I capo my electric or my acoustic as I just think the timbre of the open chord just sounds better. Can’t say either of us lose any sleep over what anyone thinks of it. It’s music. Hope I didn’t miss something in Deuteronomy.
Thanks everyone for the great comments and direct insights. I wanted to get actual experienced opinions and didn't want to ask our WL and sound critical. He and the others in the band gel really well with each other and do a great job. I'm going to try to match the keys in my voice range and not try to stretch to his. I think that's where I struggle is watching him and trying to follow along.
I've been a WL for quite a while, and would say it's simply to play chords shapes I like in keys that are comfortable. Most of you are probably more accomplished than me, but when I'm responsible to sing and play, I don't want to be looking down at my guitar; so I'm going to capo and play chord shapes that don't require my attention.
When I get the chance to just play electric guitar in the band, I rarely reach for my capos.
When I get the chance to just play electric guitar in the band, I rarely reach for my capos.
Also, I've been playing guitar for almost 25yrs, and frankly, I just don't enjoy barre chords all that much.
I can play open chords in the key of D just fine, but I've come to prefer the sound/feel of capo'ing on 2 and playing in C formation. I dont think that makes me a lazy guitar player.
In a church band situation, changing the key during rehearsal happens fairly often depending on who is singing that particular day. If I'm changing a song from G to Bb its sure easier to put a capo on 3 than to be barring up and down the neck.
At the same time, it is always nice to change up my playing even while doing songs in G chord formation. I've definitely seen many a WL play every song the exact same way, same exact chord voicing, and it can turn into audio fatigue pretty quickly.
I can play open chords in the key of D just fine, but I've come to prefer the sound/feel of capo'ing on 2 and playing in C formation. I dont think that makes me a lazy guitar player.
In a church band situation, changing the key during rehearsal happens fairly often depending on who is singing that particular day. If I'm changing a song from G to Bb its sure easier to put a capo on 3 than to be barring up and down the neck.
At the same time, it is always nice to change up my playing even while doing songs in G chord formation. I've definitely seen many a WL play every song the exact same way, same exact chord voicing, and it can turn into audio fatigue pretty quickly.
Adding a capo is a great idea when you have more than one guitar on the band. The capo'd guitar lends a mandolin-like jangle to the music.
That is just one application.
If a person assumes a guitarist is being lazy by using a capo, all it does is show their limited knowledge about playing guitar and playing in an ensemble.
That is just one application.
If a person assumes a guitarist is being lazy by using a capo, all it does is show their limited knowledge about playing guitar and playing in an ensemble.
oyobass
Tele-Meister
Drone notes and open strings. Some songs just sound better with the jangle cowboy chords provide. that being said, if the WL is playing with the capo in one spot, I'll try to find a complimentary spot to capo further up the neck, or find a set of partial barres on the skinnier strings. Our sound guys can't figure out how to differentiate two guitars playing in similar ranges through EQ and reverb, and may never do so, so it falls on me to pick an alternate range.
As a sound guy, I love when two guitars are playing nearly the same thing in the same range. I follow the maxim: "somebody's gotta be Angus and somebody's gotta be Malcom.
As a sound guy, I love when two guitars are playing nearly the same thing in the same range. I follow the maxim: "somebody's gotta be Angus and somebody's gotta be Malcom.
JuneauMike
Poster Extraordinaire
I liked this explanation for playing capo on guitar. I mostly see lead singers using a capo and I often assumed that they find it easier to play simpler cowboy chords such as G and D, etc and so opt for a capo to take the workload off of them. (Think about how many piano songs that are in keys unusual to the guitar). But capo does raise the voice of the instrument so a guitar can play in a different register than the other stringed instruments. I think that's the best reason to use a capo, to provide separation for the guitars.
