To capo or not to capo...

[allenhopkins]

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

You and Irving Berlin:

Although he could not write or read music, Irving Berlin played on a special kind of piano that he named after a brand of car. What was the name of the car?
Buick. In fact, Berlin could only play in one key, F sharp major (all the black keys) and when he wanted to transpose a song to a different key, there was a lever on the piano that changed the key for him.

From http://www.funtrivia.com/

[Bertram Henze]

... there was a lever on the piano that changed the key for him.

For an instrument with so much mechanical gadgetry as a piano happens to be, I think that's the least it should deliver

[Tommando]

This sort of says it all to me. Listen to what Doc says to Bill while he puts the capo on his guitar. I can't tell if Bill says anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEZPA1p7tOk

[smokyt81]

I just bought a Paige capo for my mandolin because I was trying to crosspick in b and thought I needed open strings in relation to it. As soon as I brought it home I figured out I didn't. Oh well, I guess it's better to have it and not need it...

[Mandobart]

I play with several different guitarists. My favorites are those that don't capo. The only time I use a capo on mandolin is when we're doing a new tune and the guitarist whips out his capo and puts it on 7th fret or so. I'm just not good enough to think fast enough while playing "Lets see, he's playing a B7 shape with capo on the 7th so that's really a...oh now its a Gm shape so I need to play a...changed again to a..." So my simple solution is to capo where they capo and just watch and follow his left hand. Believe me this is easier than when playing fiddle with the same guitarist and instead I have to follow by ear and realize no open strings allowed. It's one of the things I've been practicing for a while; speeding up my mental transposition skills.

I have no animosity to any player who uses a capo (other than said guitarist ) But I have to say I do not like the sound of my mandolin with a capo above the 3rd or 4th fret. Just not enough vibrating string length left.

[Vigee]

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.

Both keys have three open strings, and plenty of Scottish tunes make use of open 2nd and 3rd strings in B flat.

In general, using a capo is ok, but I find that I confine myself to one position whenever I use one.

[mando andy]

Some types of music call for open strings...this is when a capo could be used. This should not be taken as a sign that the player is lacking in skill or anything but that you are trying to contribute to the "music" in the best way possible.

Andy

[ralph johansson]

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

The TS must be very grateful for your instructive response to his questions.