Capo

What is a capo?

A capo is a clamp that presses all six strings down at once on a single fret. Result: your guitar sounds higher, but you can keep using the simple open chord shapes. It's a tool for changing key without learning new fingerings.

How a capo sits on the neck

The capo clamps every string at once just behind a fret — here on the 2nd fret. That fret becomes your new nut: you play the same open chord shapes, but everything sounds two semitones higher.

Video: the capo explained

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In this learn-and-play video, Sytse explains how to use the capo (in Dutch).

Frequently asked questions

Why would I use a capo?
Three common reasons:
- Sing along at your pitch. The original too high or too low? Add a capo, chord shapes stay the same.
- Avoid difficult chords. A song in B minor can be played with a capo on fret 2 using the simpler Am shapes.
- Change the tone. Higher up the neck sounds "brighter" and smaller — great for folk and acoustic singer-songwriter vibes.
Which fret do you put the capo on?
It's usually noted with the song. On Gitaartabs you'll find it at the top of every song page as "Capo: 2" (= second fret). No capo marking? Play without one. Want to experiment yourself: each fret up = one semitone higher. Capo on 2 = guitar sounds 2 semitones higher; chords get different names (a C shape with capo on 2 sounds like D).
Which chord shapes work best with a capo?
The open chords — G, C, D, Em, Am, E, A. These use open strings, and the capo becomes your new "zero fret". Chords without open strings (barre chords, for example) lose some resonance and usually aren't the reason you'd use a capo.
Tuning — before or after the capo?
First tune without capo, then add the capo. A capo can cause small inaccuracies because it stretches the strings slightly; if it still sounds out of tune after placing it, you can fine-tune with the capo on. Capo off? Always check again — small deviations can occur during the clamp. See also tuning your guitar.
Which capo works best?
For beginners: a trigger capo (like Kyser or Dunlop Trigger) — easy on and off, affordable (€15-25). For more advanced players: a screw capo (G7th, Shubb) gives more precise pressure distribution so less chance of sounding out of tune on sensitive guitars. Avoid cheap elastic "quick-capos" for a few euros — they give inconsistent pressure and often an annoying pitch deviation.
Exactly where do you place the capo relative to the fret?
Right behind the fret wire, not in the middle between two frets. The fret itself does the work; the capo only holds the string against the fret. Too far back (toward the nut) and you'll get false, dead-sounding strings. Just behind the fret and parallel to it — that gives the cleanest sound.
Moet ik de capo eraf laten als ik niet speel?
Liefst wel. Een capo blijft druk uitoefenen op de snaren en de hals; over uren doet dat geen kwaad, maar dagenlang gespannen houden geeft onnodige slijtage en kan op fragiele gitaren de intonatie beïnvloeden. Vuistregel: na een speelsessie eraf, zoals je ook je gitaar opbergt.

Capo on, song on.

Hear the difference yourself — pick a song with a capo marking and play it with and without.

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