The Guitar Capo Lesson You've Been Meaning to Watch

Going over the basic stuff about transposing songs with a capo. Cort sponsored this video so check out the Cort Gold A6 I've been using.

If you like what we're throwing down in this video, check out the MasterClass I made on how to solo on guitar with another musician. You won't regret it!

Check out the music:

🍀 Emeryld Ryders 1

😎 Sean Daniel

⭐ Andrea and Sean
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A little about me:
Sean Daniel is a man. A man of simple needs and desires. And the one desire, no, the one NEED, that stands above all is to spread the challenges, joy and intellectual stimulus of music to people of Earth and beyond.
Born on the mean streets of upper middle class suburban Chicago, Sean learned the ways of the world through the dizzying heights of success to the lonesome depths of failure and emerged with the promise of a better tomorrow reflecting in his eyes and fiery passion in his belly.
He plays and teaches guitar on his YouTube channel where he regularly releases original music and projects to the adulation of legions of fans, who often compare him to Chris Pratt and one time Ryan Reynolds. He’s currently in the market for a nice leather jacket.
#guitar #guitarlesson #handsomegentleman

[dougsensei]

This video is gold. I have watched it about 6 trillion times and I am still getting good stuff from it.

[joelzdepski]

There is a case for the capo that you didn't mention, and that is for when you are playing with someone else. Even before you are comfortable playing lead lines and fills as a second guitar, you can change things up just by playing along in a different set of chords. So if your partner is going to play and sing a song in E you can Capo-2 and play D'shapes. The 2 different guitars will sound much fuller. I am a big fan of "The Other Favorites" and you will always see Carson strumming (say with D shapes) and singing while Josh is Capo'd 2 higher and finger picking (in this case C shapes). It just gives you access to different embellishments. And, it is a great motivation to learn how to transpose between 2 keys.

[musobill]

I really admire your teaching style Sean. You make ideas and examples very accessible. Excellent teacher and a great sense of humour! Cheers from Australia.

[kellermax]

It was me 20 years ago thinking the "Capo is stupid just learn all the chords"
Now I'm so happy to have gained all these new possibilities. Thank you for putting them so accurately in this video!

[michaelshannon]

Multiple instruments playing in the same register of the sound spectrum will cause the sound from some of the instruments to get lost in the mix. I use a capo (usually in the 3rd or 5th fret) to get into a register that the other instruments aren’t playing in. This allows me to play open chords that will have a fuller sound as opposed to playing barre chords up the neck.

[AlexanderDekhtyar]

This is why I like your lesson videos. Very clear presentation, easy to remember (and also, I've been doing it all wrong).

[bertieborough]

There is a case for using a Capo on the ninth or tenth fret for imitating a Mandolin. I often do this when playing Styx's Boat on a River. Also, this is where the Caged System shines when playing through each key chord.

[myradioon]

(5:09) You certainly can use the capo on 7th fret in "C" position. Mother Maybelle Carter basically invented using a capo on Country/Folk guitar in the 20's (it was a new invention at the time). She utilized it because her signature style revolved around playing the melody in the bass notes in "C" position. "Wildwood Flower" her signature song is capo on 7th fret using "C" position. It doesn't ring the same in standard "G" position and the 5 chord is high instead of low. Different positions allow the strings to ring open differently and allow for certain turnarounds etc. Bluegrass players of course transpose it to many keys/positions but the definitive version is 7th fret capo "C" position. A melody sits in the mix of notes differently using capo on different frets/positions of the same key.

[kkdeveauxgue]

Sean anytime you use the Capo, it changes your playing and gives you more melodic chords within the the Capo setting, I used it a lot, very inspiring tool..I love it just for creative ideas great for singer songwriters

[menahemrosen]

I often use a capo when learning a song, to play it with the original recording using "C" chord-shapes (which are more intuitive for me). Then, I might transpose to a more comfortable key, for my vocal range or capo placement.
BTW, I keep my guitar tuned down a whole step, and put the capo on the 2nd fret when I need to match standard tuning.

[Guide]

Outstanding presentation, Sean! I've always had trouble with a capo. Thanks for this lesson. Really helps.

[gatoryak]

Here's a valid way to use the capo as a crutch, but maybe it's better to call it a training wheel: First be aware that the distance between frets decreases at every step toward the sound hole. Now, if I'm learning a piece of music that has an uncomfortable finger stretch, I will capo up to where my fingers can easily make the stretch. I don't care what key that is. I practice the segment of the song over and over until I'm good at playing it. Then I move the capo one fret toward the nut and repeat the process. I keep iterating until I get it to the key I want to play in or until my hand just can't stretch any further.

[starsandguitars]

Great video Sean. The capo allows for so much variation. I love mine.

[GreyMouser]

There are a lot of songs in E that I like to play on capo 2 in the D position. I like the tonal difference for some songs. Other songs I play in the open E. For Eb I like to capo 1, D position. I use this a lot when playing with other people so everyone doesn't have to tune down. Playing solo I tune down a half step and play standard on capo 1. Capos are a valuable tool. Great video and great explanation.

[JS-irwh]

I bring a capo to jams for friends who only know an handful of chords. It let's them join in on more of the fun. Thanks for keeping the sarcasm, Sean. It's appreciated.

[randycompton]

1:53 in, I’m already sold on this lesson. I have taught myself through this type of video. Straight to the point. You get a like on this one. Maybe your best yet. At this point, the capo is my best tool. Frets one, two and three get the job done for most songs out there. Sometimes a four works out.

[ronhutcherson]

I learned a lot. Thank you.
Your perspective of grouping chords by key is a great idea. It’s an obvious thing to do on the piano but not as much on the guitar.

[vincestefanac]

Thank you. One of the best videos that has helped me to see it in my head.

[byromtaylor]

i got so much to learn this bit of music theory lesson actually deppressed me

[JamesGriffinWrites]

This video would have made 3 records better 15 years ago. You've answered like 3 critical questions ive had . Sincerely, thanks.