To capo or not to capo...

[justinpaddler]

The guys I've been picking with have recently started capoing alot of songs in A and Bb, and I'm having a hard time soloing and playing breaks. I have a capo, but I feel like it really limits the fretboard and boxes me in, and I'm just not that comfortable higher on the neck. Does the capo lead to bad habits? I'm having a hard time making anything sound good out of Bb and A, and I feel like using the capo is "cheating", and bypassing having a better knowledge of the fretboard. Help! Any tips, tricks or theories would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[allenhopkins]

At least a gazillion threads on the subject; here's the most recent, from last month.

There are pros and cons to capo use. Probably shouldn't use it just to avoid learning how to play in A and B♭, since those are keys a mandolinist who does any bluegrass, would need to know. It shortens the fretboard, not a good thing. On the other hand, if you like the sound of unfretted strings for "double stops" (or "double unstops"), or just for particular effects -- drone-y, ring-y sounds, etc. -- and you want to play in, say, A♭, a capo would be quite useful.

Some treat capo use with contempt, say it's the sign of a lazy or unskillful picker. I hardly ever capo my mandolins, though I capo mandolas, octave mandolins, and mandocellos routinely. On the other hand, I would definitely use a capo if I felt the situation called for it.

Terms like "cheating" and "bad habits" have a way of injecting a moralistic tone to the discussion. A capo is a tool for your toolbox, to be used when you think it's appropriate. I find no ethical or musicological reason to avoid using it, and no particular imperative to use it. As always, YMMV.

[Philphool]

Well, the key of A is usually one that lends itself to the mandolin very well. A capo for A seems silly unless the tune has special needs.

Bb is different. If you know a tune in A & someone wants it played in Bb on the spur of the moment, by all means, slap on that capo. If you want to put the capo on because your skills aren't what you want them to be, then I think you know the answer to THAT question.

[Gerry Hastie]

I use a capo to achieve a certain tone for certain songs. Like has been said it's a tool but if you feel it's a compromise - there's an opportunity to work on something. The jazzmando site has plenty of advice about playing in all keys.

[Tim2723]

Hi and welcome!

It sounds to me like you've already answered your own question. If you feel somehow limited or if you wish to explore beyond the capo, by all means go for it! Whether you use a capo or not has no affect on your welcome here, so welcome to the Cafe!

[Darren Bailey]

I recorded this using a capo - it may encourage you to use it or put you off for life. I enjoy the change they bring.

http://youtu.be/z3DLDKZ0sN4

[Spruce]

Capos can be very useful in the studio ("OK, this is in Bd--can you do some McRenolds style crosspicking on it?"), but I'd shy away from them in jams and such....

When I was first learning I tuned the mandolin one step flat to get in the habit of being able to work the fretboard in all keys--a practice I'd highly recommend to all you masochists out there...

[tomgun]

If it's not harming people or animals, do whatever you want.

Signed,
An ex-anti-capoer and unnecessary opinionater

It is curable. Just stop it.

[JeffD]

It is curable. Just stop it.

[JeffD]

Well, the key of A is usually one that lends itself to the mandolin very well. A capo for A seems silly unless the tune has special needs.

Bb is different. If you know a tune in A & someone wants it played in Bb on the spur of the moment, by all means, slap on that capo. If you want to put the capo on because your skills aren't what you want them to be, then I think you know the answer to THAT question.

Well to tell you the truth, I see no difference in treatment for A or Bb. They are both really great keys that the mandolin does real well and a lot of great tunes are in these keys that sound great.

That being said, if a tune you play in one key is required on the spur of the moment in another, be it A or Bb, then get the capo and go for it.

[tomgun]

Ok, only one negative with needing a capo: you can't lose it.

[Philphool]

Well to tell you the truth, I see no difference in treatment for A or Bb. They are both really great keys that the mandolin does real well and a lot of great tunes are in these keys that sound great.

That being said, if a tune you play in one key is required on the spur of the moment in another, be it A or Bb, then get the capo and go for it.

My point was that tunes played in the key of A often utilize many open strings while those in Bb tend not to use as many open strings. So if you WANT the sound of open strings or NEED the open strings because your skills are limited, then the capo makes sense.

[Nick Triesch]

Just remember that in a band situation, even though the guitar player and the banjo player use one, the mandolin player should never use one because the sound it gives can take the glory away from the other players and give the mandolin player unneeded praise. Also, mandolin players are far superior than all the other players in a bluegrass band so cheating is not tolerated. Ever. Guitars players like James Taylor and Andre Segovia got away with using one because well...it was the easy way out for those guys. Also, it is just a simple guitar. Not a sophisticated mandolin. Nck

[allenhopkins]

Ya know, Don Reno played in a wide variety of keys on the 5-string banjo, and never used a capo (at least, so I'm told). Howcum banjoists don't dis other banjoists for using 'em?

[Ivan Kelsall]

Allen - You're correct re.Don Reno & his non-use of a capo,however i find that some of the stuff he played without one would have 'flowed' better with one. Again,it's down to what you want to do personally. I use a capo on banjo as do the vast majority of players,because as you know we use a lot of open strings & 'partial' chords for the musical texture they give.On mandolin i don't use one,mainly because i've learned to play in all the key's i've needed to play in, without one.It's also a relief not to have to put the darned thing on & take it off again over & over.My base opinion ?- do whatever suits you at any point in time,
Ivan

[Bertram Henze]

...I feel like it really limits the fretboard and boxes me in, and I'm just not that comfortable higher on the neck. Does the capo lead to bad habits?...

Even on my OM, where there is more room and closed positions are not an option, I have this claustric feeling with a capo; plus, longer strings sound better, so I rarely use it. It is about as addictive as cod liver oil. Therefore, you can use it without fear

[JeffD]

Just remember that in a band situation, even though the guitar player and the banjo player use one, the mandolin player should never use one because the sound it gives can take the glory away from the other players and give the mandolin player unneeded praise. Also, mandolin players are far superior than all the other players in a bluegrass band so cheating is not tolerated. Ever. Guitars players like James Taylor and Andre Segovia got away with using one because well...it was the easy way out for those guys. Also, it is just a simple guitar. Not a sophisticated mandolin. Nck

[JeffD]

The only real rule is that if you are going to use a capo, don't do it sheepishly or apologetically. Do it proudly, in the full knowledge that it is irritating some purist out there who doesn't even know which end of the mandolin gets hot first.

[Steve L]

There are a number of reasons one might use a capo. What I can never quite understand is the impulse to seek validation for doing so. It's your life, your music, your decision.

[mandolirius]

There are a number of reasons one might use a capo. What I can never quite understand is the impulse to seek validation for doing so. It's your life, your music, your decision.

Man, wouldn't it be nice if that were the last word on this topic.

[Mike Bunting]

Amen.

[Mandolin Yogi]

Kyser or D'Addario?

[Bertram Henze]

Kyser or D'Addario?

Shubb!

[jbrwky]

I put a big capo on my piano coz I only learned the white keys.

[jmalmsteen]

I have never seen someone use a capo on a mandolin at a bluegrass jam or concert. The beauty of mandolin is that you don't need a capo.