A capo clamps across the neck and shifts your guitar up in pitch. Same shapes you already know, new key. Acoustic players use capos constantly to match a singer's range or to brighten the tone.
Deep-dive guide
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A longer write-up with every detail, drill, and common pitfall.
What it does
Capo on the 2nd fret + play a G shape = the chord G has moved up two frets, so it sounds like A. Capo on 5 + play C = the chord sounds like F.Add the capo's fret number to whatever shape you're playing (in half-steps) to find the actual sounding chord.
Where to place the capo
Just behind the fret, not on top of it. If you put it on top of the metal fret, the strings rattle. Slightly behind, the fret does the work and the strings ring clean.Capo charts
- Capo 2, play in G shape → sounds in A
- Capo 4, play in G shape → sounds in B
- Capo 5, play in C shape → sounds in F
- Capo 7, play in G shape → sounds in D
Deep-dive guide
Read the full guide
A longer write-up with every detail, drill, and common pitfall.
Try it
Capo on the 2nd fret. Play your G → C → D → Em cycle. You're now in the key of A. Same finger shapes, different sound.Next: another classic, fingerpicked this time. House of the Rising Sun.