Q&A for How to Capo a Fret on an Acoustic Guitar

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Question

Is using a capo cheating?

Aaron Asghari
Professional Guitar Player
Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.

Aaron Asghari

Professional Guitar Player

Expert Answer

Not at all. A capo just lets you quickly adjust the key of a song while still using the same guitar chord shapes and scale patterns.

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Question

How can I lessen the pain in my fingers?

Community Answer

Try lessening the pressure you apply when you play. Otherwise, just practicing continually over time will allow calluses to form on your fingers that will stop them from hurting.

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Question

Does it matter which way up I have my capo?

Community Answer

It depends on the capo, but it doesn't ordinarily matter.

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Question

What does the - and + mean when it comes to capo? How do I adjust for a +3 capo, for example?

Community Answer

That would mean a capo at the third fret. Keep in mind that a capo is generally used to help the singer find a comfortable range. Unless you're playing along, you can play with a capo wherever you want.

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Question

Can I tune my guitar with the capo on?

Community Answer

Yes, you may tune your guitar with the capo on as long as you adjust for it.

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Question

Where I can put my capo?

Stephen Songo

Community Answer

Anywhere on the frets. Some places are too low, for example under 12 fret is really hard to play.

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Question

Does this still work with a ukulele?

Community Answer

Yes. Although, having only 4 strings, it might just be simpler to learn how to play it.

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Question

If the capo is not the fret where your chords are, what do you do regarding playing that chord?

Community Answer

If you were originally playing a G major chord, and you capo 1, then pretend that that capo is the new nut of the guitar. You slide all your fingers up a fret.

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Question

Does a guitar capo keep you from having to use your fingers to play different chords?

Community Answer

A capo doesn't keep you from playing chords with your fingers, but it can simplify them so you only have to put a few fingers down.

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Question

Where do you put your finger with a capo?

Community Answer

Use the same fingering as you would without the capo. Pretend that the capo is the new "nut" of the guitar. A G major chord would be the same as it would be on capo 1, 2, 3, or any other.

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Question

Do you put the capo at the top of of the fret or at the bottom of the fret?

Community Answer

When placing the capo on your guitar, it should be closest to the next fret. For example, if you place the capo on the third fret, it should be very close too, but not on, the fourth fret.

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Question

If I put a capo on, say, the third fret, but some of the chords I'm using are on the first and second frets. Do I move everything down several frets or just play despite the capo in between notes?

BlackDrummer

Community Answer

The capo makes everything higher, so when it comes 1st and 2nd frets, the fourth fret now becomes the first.

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Question

Can a capo be used on another stringed instrument with a neck, like a banjo or mandolin?

Community Answer

Yes, that is what a capo is used for. It can work for any instrument that has a neck connecting the main body and tuning pegs.

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Question

Can I capo down? For example from A to A flat?

El

Community Answer

Strings cannot be capoed down from the starting note. (without a capo). If you want to play lower than what the standard tuning is, you can tune each string down. For example, A to A flat would be changing every string down one semitone.

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Question

The capo which I bought is so hard to press. It is so hard to move it from one place to another. Is there any problem with it? It is so hard to attach it in the guitar, I barely attached it.

Rebekka Rian

Community Answer

You need to loosen the screw! Every guitar is different, and the capo doesn't fit the same on the whole guitar.

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Question

If you are supposed to put the capo on the 4th fret, do you put it at the end of the 4th fret or beginning?

Community Answer

Put it as close to the fret as you can, as this makes the sound clearer and eliminates any buzzing.

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Question

Is it possible to use a capo on an electric guitar?

Jamie Lange

Community Answer

Yes. Most capos are suited for all guitars, but make sure to read product descriptions before you buy a product.

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