The Capo

A capo is basically a clamp which can be put on the neck of the guitar. It shortens the string length and thus raises the pitch.
Every time you move the capo up 1 fret, it raises the guitar a half step (semitone).

Why use a capo?

It's a tool and a tool has uses!

• as an aid (to help the beginning guitarist)
• for convenience (when accompanying two or more tunes with awkward key changes)
• to achieve the desired sound
• for effect (when playing alongside other guitarists, possibly in a band situation)
• for effect (on recordings)

How to use a Capo

Refer to the table below. It is very useful to help you understand where to place the capo and what chord shapes to play in order to play in a particular key. The first column, labelled KEY, refers to the key played with no capo.

To play in the key of A (highlighted below) you can place the capo on the 2nd fret and play G shapes (ie. as if you were playing in the key of G). You could also place the capo on the 7th fret and play D shapes.

Similarly, to play in the key of C: Capo 3rd fret (play A shapes) or Capo 5th fret (play G shapes).