For anyone delving into the world of guitar playing, certain accessories quickly become indispensable. Alongside tuners, string winders, and humidifiers, the capo stands out as a particularly useful tool for both acoustic and electric guitarists.
The term “capo” originates from the Italian word “capotasto,” meaning “head of fretboard.” Essentially, a guitar capo is a clamp-like device that you affix to the guitar neck to shorten the vibrating length of the strings. By doing so, it raises the pitch of all strings uniformly, allowing you to play in different keys without altering standard chord shapes. While typically used across all six strings, capos can sometimes be applied to only a selection of strings for unique tonal effects.
Understanding the Function of a Guitar Capo
To truly grasp what a capo achieves, it’s helpful to first understand the role of the nut on a guitar. Located at the headstock end of the guitar neck, the nut is a slender piece of material – often plastic, bone, or metal. It marks the end of the string’s vibrating length, also known as the scale length. Strings pass over the nut as they extend from the fretboard to their tuning pegs on the headstock.
The nut is designed with grooves that, in conjunction with the bridge at the opposite end of the guitar body, ensure the strings are correctly spaced along the fretboard.
A guitar capo essentially acts as a movable nut. You can attach it to any fret on the neck, effectively creating a new “nut” at that position. This new point of termination shortens the string length and consequently raises the pitch. Unlike the nut, capos are not grooved, as their function is solely to change the pitch, not to manage string spacing – that remains the job of the original nut and bridge. Therefore, a capo works in conjunction with the nut, supplementing its function rather than replacing it.
A crucial aspect of capos is their ability to change the pitch of open strings without requiring adjustments to the tuning pegs. This is a key distinction: while the pitch of open strings changes, the intervals between frets remain the same. Consequently, using a capo not only alters the overall pitch but also affects the timbre of the guitar, often lending it a brighter, more ringing quality reminiscent of instruments with shorter scale lengths like mandolins.
Exploring Different Types of Guitar Capos
Guitar capos come in various designs, each employing different mechanisms to clamp onto the guitar neck just behind a fret. Most designs feature a rubberized bar that presses down on the strings. The method of applying pressure to this bar varies. Common types include:
- Strap Capos: These use a strap, often made of elastic, nylon, or fabric, to apply pressure. The strap wraps around the neck and fastens to adjust tightness.
- Spring Capos: Spring capos utilize a spring-loaded mechanism to clamp onto the neck. They are known for their ease of use and quick application.
- Screw Capos: These capos use a screw that you tighten to adjust the pressure on the strings. They offer precise control over tension.
- Cam or Lever Capos: Cam-operated capos use a lever that, when closed, creates pressure to clamp the capo in place. They are known for applying even pressure across the strings.
More recently, the partial capo has emerged as an innovative variation. Unlike traditional capos that span all six strings, partial capos are designed to cover only a selection of strings, such as two, three, four, or five. This opens up a wide array of unique and complex tonal possibilities without requiring retuning the guitar.
Musical Applications and Genres Where Capos Shine
Capos are a staple accessory in numerous musical genres. They are particularly prevalent in:
- Folk Music: Capos are incredibly common in folk guitar playing, allowing guitarists to easily change keys to match vocal ranges while maintaining familiar open chord shapes.
- Blues Music: Blues guitarists frequently use capos, often in open tunings, to create signature blues sounds and facilitate slide guitar playing.
- Flamenco Music: In flamenco, capos are essential for achieving the bright, percussive tones characteristic of the genre and for adapting to different singers.
- Traditional Irish Music: Capos are widely used in Irish traditional music to play tunes in keys that suit fiddles and other instruments commonly played in sessions.
Conversely, capos are less common in genres like jazz and classical guitar.
However, many iconic rock and pop musicians have incorporated capos into their playing. Notable examples include:
- George Harrison
- Keith Richards
- Noel Gallagher
- Bruce Springsteen
- Steve Earle
- Tom Petty
- Richard Thompson
- Johnny Marr
- Paul Simon
- Jimmy Page
- John Mayer
These artists, among many others, demonstrate the versatility of the capo in various popular music contexts. Whether it’s to simplify chord voicings, change keys on the fly, or add a unique tonal color, the guitar capo remains a valuable tool for guitarists of all styles and skill levels.
