Learn guitar online – You’re cheating if you use a capo Myth busted

Are you familiar with the phrase “the kingpins are cheating?” This is one I often hear people say at guitar workshops or read in correspondence from my subscribers.

This is one of the most destructive phrases, simply because it sounds so close to the truth that it’s hard to spot the big lie here.

It’s hard to believe when we live in a world so rich in information that many guitarists still cling to old wives’ tales like the “capos are cheating” myth.

While most musical old wives tales are harmless, at least one is dangerous…because those who believe it find themselves trapped forever in the “stone age” of the guitar.

In my work over the years, I have noticed that some people seem to have the ability to constantly reinvent themselves and adapt to their changing musical environment.

Others seem to stay stuck in their playing, plodding over the same chunky chords, licks and boring tricks; every song these guitarists play sounds the same.

As I sought to understand the strategies of these different types of people, some interesting differences became apparent.

What follows are lists of strategies on how to stay in the “stone age” of guitar playing and then strategies on how to move on and thrive.

How to stay in the “stone age” guitar

* Keep struggling with difficult chord shapes – Play songs using the computer generated chord shapes presented in the sheet music, regardless of how difficult the stretch is… In fact, I know a guy who slept with banged corks between his fingers of his left hand to be able to increase his stretch to play difficult guitar chords!

* Suffer from upbeat chords – A large percentage of guitarists and sadly “guitar teachers” have the misconception that upbeat chords are superior to all other forms and those who can play upbeat chords are part of the guitar elite.

Bar chords are appropriate in certain styles of music such as ‘surf’ guitar; however, the quickest way to spot a “guitar-playing dinosaur” is the guy who plays the beat chords in every song, regardless of the style of music.

Moral of the story…locking the doll’s jaw results in locking the musical brain’s jaw, sore fingers and soggy chords.

How to advance and prosper

* learn the language of music: each chord has a unique spelling, it’s the coagulation of a particular set of notes, once you know how to build a chord it won’t matter if you use a capo or your foot, as long as you have the notes right under your fingers (or toes).

The deciding factor whether or not to use a capo will depend on the style of music and the atmosphere you want to create.

Here are some examples of how you might play an “Ab” chord.

Ab contains the following notes Ab = Ab – C – Eb

ex 1 – style – Pop, country rock… this is usually the kind of acoustic guitar sound you hear on commercial radio. (Taylor Swift, etc.)

Ab (capo 1st fret – using a “G” shape)

-3- (Ab)
-3- (Eb)
-0- (Ab)
-0- (Eb)
-2 C)
-3- (Ab)

=> remember that I am indicating the pitch of the notes when I use a capo on the first fret. <=

ex 2 – style – surf music … instrumental guitar music from the 50s and 60s (Shadows, etc.)

Ab (version with bar chord)

-4- (ab)
-4- (Eb)
-5- (C)
-6- (Ab)
-6- (Eb)
-4- (ab)

Example 3 – style – Jazz … three-note style generally associated with Count Basie’s band (guitarist Freddie Green)

Ab (3 note release)

-X-
-X-
-5- (C)
-1- (Eb)
-X-
-4- (ab)

* Unlock the fretboard: In order to create your own chord shape, it is essential to know the position of the notes on the guitar fretboard.

LISTEN TO A VARIETY OF MUSIC STYLES – While listening to music, focus on the sound the guitarist is making in each musical setting, remember there is no right or wrong way to play a chord, we just want to contribute to the overall ensemble in the best way that we can.

Playing a one-beat chord on a Taylor Swift song won’t cut it…just like using a capo on a George Benson jazz track will ruin the overall flavor of the music.