Who uses a capo in their playing? What to they do? How does attaching a capo at the second fret change the open chord shapes G, C and D ? For that matter, how does one play the open chords G, C and D once the capo is attached as mentioned above?

At first I resisted using a capo because I was afraid I wouldn't want to learn the chords using the capo makes. Now I use a capo because I can't find a way to otherwise create the same sound that using a capo at the 7th fret  changes open chords to.

There's much more to the capo then meets the eye so I hope those that use them, want to use them or that know nothing about them have something to add. Should be fun.

Christmas cheer,

GuitarZen

ok. for g c d and, with a capo on the 2nd fret...

to play a D chord, use the shape of a C shape e.g.

e--2
b--3
g--2
d--4
a--5
e--2

for a G, play an F shape e.g.

e--3
b--3
g--4
d--5
a--2
e--x

and for a C, play and B shape e.g.

e--3
b--5
g--5
d--5
a--3
e--x


these should be right. i only did it quickly.

mmmm.   I use the same shapes. What am I not understanding ?

...I simply use the cheap-o "humanoid capo" -- my index finger across all six strings!

...works fine, lasts a long time(wink,wink).

Great responses so far and I particularly like OTM's post ! What I'm talking about though is for example, if you place a capo on the second fret and play open G, C and D chords, (145) progression, what would the new chord names be and in what key? Things like that and anything else anyone can tell us about capo use.  I agree it's the same as barring with the index finger then playing 'back of the hand' open chords  but that's not what I'm getting at. Ok, hope we see more responses and ideas.

Cheers,

GuitarZen

haha, yes the 'humanoid'version is just as easy.

the chords i have shown could be done using barring

but chords that are done higher up the neck aren't possible with a bar and require a cappo

e.g.

e--2
b--7
g--2
d--9
a--2
e--x

Zen,

with capo on 2nd fret,  the G, C, & D chords (in open form) would just be G + 2 (semi tones) or A, the C is now a D, and the D is an E

Jim

Bingo jag, was hoping you'd jump in...now all we need is for someone to decide what the second fret capo key is with the open chords. I know you know it, maybe someone else that hasn't posted can figure it out and post.

Cheers,

GuitarZen

Well G,

I dont see any takers yet!

Hint:   G + ?

J

Jag,  by G+ do you mean the key that would be a half step above the key of G in tone ?

Cheers,

GuitarZen

G,

The G + ?.    (which ya may  have missed) was a just a hint to make ya read my above post again.  The answer to the key question is also there.    The G + 2 (semi tones)  = A.   Hence the first chord played with no capo is G which makes the 1,4,5, prog the key of G..  moving up 2 semi-tones, makes the first chord an A,  and hence being the first chord of the 1,4,5, prog.   the key is now A...


J

Nice going Zen... great topic too...

thias makes capos interesting

the strings would now go from..

e              f#
B             C#
G    TO...  A
D             E
A             B
E             F#

TMR3..



(sorry made some mistakes to the post.....luckily GuitarZen noticed and helped me with it....THNX)

Ah, ok jag, I'm with ya now...G+ 2, or another way, a full step or tone sharp.

Hello TMR3, well, let me restate my original post. Let's put the capo on at the second
fret. Now then, we play a G chord just like we do without the capo, then a C chord
then a D chord. Since we have the capo on at the second fret, we aren't playing those
chords where we usually do in the open form. So instead of sounding a G C or D,
and since we have changed keys (essentially moved the nut up two frets din't we) we
are now playing A, D and E chords even though the fingering is for G C and D open
chords.  Let me know if you understand TMR3 and if not, I'll go at it another way !

Also, thank you for the compliment !

Cheers,

GuitarZen

Hey, good work TMR3...OTM would have given you a GOLD STAR for sure !

Cheers,

GuitarZen

GuitarZen wrote:

Hey, good work TMR3...OTM would have given you a GOLD STAR for sure !

Cheers,

GuitarZen

Hmm.....theres gold stars now?
I feel like a Little Child just starting school....
LOL....

I shall give u 2 gold stars for recognizing my mistakes...

I aint allowd to have gold stars anymore.   They tell me they are a "choking hazzard"

Well thanks TMR3, just make sure you don't let jag get his hands on any as he'll only attempt to eat them!

Cheers,

GuitarZen

I don't know if someone has already mentioned doing this but something i have done is put the capo on 2nd fret but leave the 1st string open so the tuning would be F B E A C# e. This can give you a really nice sound depending on what chords you play. I often do this and play around with chords in G (G C D Em) but leave the 1st string open on all the chords. Also when playing a G chord i also leave the 2nd string open so your not doubling up on the E note.

Hope this has provided some insight

...? a G+ symbol, by itself, indicates a raised 5th, or G#5 chord...and is often used as a "half-tone" introductory chord into either the Root (C) as an ascending halfstep, or into G7 as a decending halfstep.

Hello boss, by the time this thread had progressed a bit the 'G + ?' may have become misconstrued, but the meaning I placed on that when Jaguar mentioned it was that he was asking me  how many semitones up in tone were involved in placing a capo on the second fret. Hope this helps.

I do of course recall my question to you a year and more ago, asking what the + in the G+ chord name meant and I've always remembered that when I see a plus sign used this way that it means 'raised 5th degree note'...I'd first seen the G+5 chord notation in one of my practice songs by The Dave Clark Five.

Thanks for the info regarding 'half tone introductory chord' also. I'll look for that in songs I find for practice.

Cheers,

GuitarZen