How to Use a Capo
One little clamp lets you play songs in all kinds of keys using the simple chords you've already learned — and match your own voice while you're at it.
You're on lesson 4 / 7 in this stage
Show all 7 lessonsHide lesson list
What a capo is for
A capo clamps onto a fret and effectively raises all the strings together, moving the “0th fret” down the neck. Once it's on, you fret your usual chord shapes but the actual sound comes out in a higher key.
How to use one
Clamp the capo just behind the target fret (close to the fret wire, but not on top of it) and tighten it so no string buzzes. However many frets up you clamp, the key rises by that many half steps.
The biggest payoff for beginners: many songs have barre chords like F and B in their original key, but with a capo you can play them with simple chords like C, G, D, Em, and Am instead. You can also slide it up and down to match the pitch that's most comfortable to sing.
- 💡 After clamping it on, double-check with a tuner that nothing has drifted out of tune.
Practice this with famous songs
We don't host sheets for these songs (copyright); only the “what to practice” direction — find the sheets yourself:
- “Let Her Go” — the famous arrangement at capo 7; feel the bright tone of a high capo position
- “Love Story” — a capo regular for playing-and-singing; just slap on simple chords and sing along
Practice checklist
- Clamp the capo on the 2nd fret, play a G chord, and hear how it's higher than before.
- Take a song you want to sing and slide the capo up and down to find the most comfortable spot for your voice.