A capo is a clamp you fix across all the strings at one fret. In effect it creates a new nut: every string sounds higher, yet you still play your familiar open chord shapes.
What is it for?
- To suit your voice: if a song is too low to sing, move the capo up a few frets – the shapes stay the same.
- To dodge awkward keys: instead of barre chords, you play comfortable shapes like G, C, D and Em.
- To play along with others: if someone plays a song in a different key, a capo lets you follow quickly.
- A brighter sound: with a capo, the guitar sounds sparklier, almost like a smaller guitar.
What sounds with the capo on?
The rule is simple: each fret raises the sound by one semitone. You keep the shape, but the name of the sounding chord moves up. With the capo at the 2nd fret, a G shape sounds as A and a C shape as D.
- Capo 1: G shape sounds as Ab, C shape as C#, Em shape as Fm
- Capo 2: G shape sounds as A, C shape as D, Em shape as F#m
- Capo 3: G shape sounds as Bb, C shape as Eb, Em shape as Gm
- Capo 4: G shape sounds as B, C shape as E, Em shape as G#m
- Capo 5: G shape sounds as C, C shape as F, Em shape as Am
How to fit the capo
- Place it right behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret.
- It should sit straight and press all six strings evenly.
- Retune briefly after fitting it – a capo can pull the strings slightly sharp.
A nice experiment: play Amazing Grace once without a capo and once with it at the 2nd or 3rd fret, and hear which suits your voice better.
To the tuner