For musicians, they produce a large number of accessories that are ready to facilitate their occupation. Many beginners take capo for a guitar as a device with which you can easily take complex chords and play barre, but in fact this accessory has a main scope. It is with the help of a capo that you can change the tonality of the guitar to make it more suitable for the voice.
When can a capo be used?
For the most part, it is used by amateurs who dream of performing one of the popular hits. As a rule, you can find chords of famous songs on the net, but they are not always perfect for the singer’s performance style. In such cases, the capo for the guitar helps out.
You can, of course, try to pick up the chords yourself, but it will take a lot of time. For a novice musician, this task may turn out to be impossible. It is much easier to fix a special clip on one fret, which will change the tonality and sound of the guitar.
Rules for using a clip for beginners
Remember, the farther the clip for the guitar is located from the head of the neck, the higher the sound of the instrument. It is necessary to place the capo on the frets. Immediately after installing it, play a couple of simple chords (Am, Dm), evaluate the sound of the guitar. If you cannot hear by ear whether the key is suitable for the selected song, try playing its introduction.
A capo for a guitar acts as a zero nut. Remember that frets that will be located above the clamp will not be played. You can use only the frets going to the outlet. Therefore, do not try to place the capo too low, leave yourself room for manipulation. If the sound of the guitar will not suit you, it is best to return to the selection of chords or look for other options for its performance.
Some tips from experienced guitarists
It is important to properly tighten the strings, so install the guitar clip directly behind the fret. If you press the strings directly to the nut, you will get an overly dull sound that is not suitable for any song. When located in the middle of the string, they begin to make an unpleasant jingle.
Best capo for acoustic guitar copes with changing the tonality of the instrument, if you use it before the ninth fret. If you place it even higher, then there will be no room for a game. It will not be possible to perform on the instrument even the simplest compositions. The number of possible chords to use will be sharply reduced.
Types of clamps and prices
The most common types of capo are:
Screw made of plastic. They are a bracket and a large screw, which tightens the strings when twisted. Moreover, such accessories are the cheapest - they cost from one hundred to three hundred rubles. The main disadvantage of this kind of capo is its low wear resistance. Do not use it for metal strings.
The most practical are metal spring capo. They have a special mechanism with which it is easy to adjust the force of the clip. There are several varieties with a variety of latches and locks. If you use metal strings, then this capo is worth choosing. Its price can reach thousands of rubles.
The simplest options are tensioning accessories. They use an elastic strap or elastic band, and the strings are pressed by an elastic clamp with a hairpin. Several holes are usually made on the strap, which can be used to adjust its length and tension. The price of this kind of guitar accessory is low - about 200 rubles, but it also does not last long. Over time, the strap is pulled out, it starts to get worse, pressing the strings.
Can I make a capo myself
At home, it's easy to make a capo for a guitar. To do this, you need to have a pencil and regular office gum on hand (this often wraps bundles of money). This option is made directly on the necessary fret. Here, complexity immediately arises - you will need to remove the rubber every time during the setup and begin to mount the accessory anew under a different threshold.
To get started, place the pencil in the right place on the neck, and then wrap the elastic several times around one of its ends. Draw the long edge of the gum to the other end of the makeshift clip and fasten it to the other end of the pencil. Remember that the pencil should lie on the neck as tightly as possible, because otherwise the sound will be distorted.
Remember that a capo made from improvised materials is a way out only for a while. It can be used for one rehearsal. Later it is best to purchase a good accessory, especially since its cost is quite affordable even for an amateur. In no case do not try to speak with a homemade device in public, because during the game it can fly off and ruin your entire number.