Do I Need a Capo as a Beginner?

If you have been playing guitars for a bit, you may notice that some players use a capo to play guitar from time to time. You may also hear from some players that a capo can help beginner players play. This may lead you to think about if you need a capo yourself. So, do you need a capo as a beginner?

You do not need a capo as a beginner guitarist. This is because a capo may help you to simplify your playing process. Still, over the long run, it may slow down your development as a guitar player. Consider picking up a capo only when you are capable of playing barre chords comfortably with your hands. 

This post explores what a capo is and how it works. We also look at if you need a capo as a beginner guitar player and what you should focus on instead to improve your playing ability.

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How Does A Capo Work?

A capo holds your guitar’s strings in place at a certain fret. It raises the key of your guitar, which may help you play better with singers or match your style. Capo can also make it easier to play fewer barre chords. 

A capo is a simple clamp-style tool that clamps down on all the strings at a certain fret, which moves the guitar’s nut to that fret. This increases the pitch of the guitars, which may sound nicer to some. 

Many guitarists also use a capo to make it easier to play songs. Some people also use a capo to change the sound of their guitars. Guitarists who play with singers also use the capo because it lets them change how their guitar sounds to match the voice. 

For example, if your singer does not feel comfortable singing a song in the key of D, you can just move the capo until you find a key that feels right.

Many players use a capo to simplify their playing. This is because, with the right use, a capo can reduce the number of chords used to play a song. For example, you can play some Times Like These from Food Fighters with only 5 chords when you use a capo. 

What Are The Types Of Capo?

There are several types of capo, such as clip-on capo, screw-on capo, or rolling capo. They may work differently, but they all clamp down on the fret strings to move up the position of the guitar nut.

Screw-On Capo: Some players may prefer a screw-on capo because they want a very secure capo. A screw-on capo may work like a C-clamp, with two hands that can be opened or closed with a screw.

To open the hands, you take the clamp apart. Then, you put the capo where you want it and tighten the screw to tighten the grip on the capo. This capo is more secure, but you give up the ease of use and mobility because it can be hard to adjust.

Clip-On Capo: This is probably the type of capo that people use and see the most. It comes with three hands and a spring. One hand rests on the neck of your guitar while the other presses the strings. The third hand is used to move the other two.

As you push down on the one hand, the other hands open up like a mouth. Then you put your hands on the fret you want and let go of the control hand. The hands are now locked in place by the spring.

Rolling Capo: A rolling capo has two hands connected by two springs at each end. One hand pushes on the fretboard, and the other is on the neck. The hand on the neck of the guitar might have wheels that let it move around and roll on the neck. This allows you to quickly change the position of your capo.

Do I Need A Capo As A Beginner? 

Generally, beginner guitar players do not need a capo. This is because, for beginner players, a capo may bring more negative effects to their development as a player than helping them. A beginner player preferably should at least be able to play barre chords comfortably before considering getting a capo. 

If you have just started palying guitar and are wondering if you should go get a capo, the more straightforward answer is no. There are several reasons behind this recommendation. 

We understand the capo can help you to progress faster as a player and play more complicated songs with only simple chords. 

However, the progress may not be actual progress but a faux one. You can play those coveted songs only when a capo is around. Without it, you still cannot play it. This means your capo is not a crutch you cannot do without, like a drug addict who needs his fix.

Plus, a capo can be easily misused by a beginner player, who may use it as a crutch and a shortcut to avoid having to learn to play more complicated or barre chords. As such, we think using a capo too early may be detrimental to your development as a guitarist. 

Instead, we think new guitarists should focus on improving their playing and be able to comfortably play basic, intermediate, and barre chords first before considering a capo. 

This way, a capo is used to help with guitar playing, not as a crutch or shortcut. This would fit the actual intention of using a capo in the first place.

What Skill Should I Develop First As A Beginner Guitarist?

As a beginner guitarist, you should focus on being able to play chords well, mastering strumming patterns, and developing a sense of rhythm. These are the fundamental skills of guitar playing and will serve you well in your development as a player. Capo can always come in once you can do these things well.

Suppose you agree with our suggestion to not get a capo, and you also agree with our suggestion to improve your playing abilities before picking up a capo. 

Your next question may naturally be what you should focus on then. We think you may want to get stronger on the foundations. Master things such as chords, strumming patterns, and developing your rhythms as a player before getting a capo. 

Get Your Chords Right: One of the most important skills as a guitar player is to get good at your chords. When it comes to chords, consider mastering chords such as open, power, and barre chords. You also want to practice and be good at transitioning between chords before getting a capo. 

This is because if you do not do so and get a capo before you learn to master barre chords, you may use the capo as an escape to not learn and master your barre chords. 

Improve Your Strumming Pattern: Many guitar players may be looking at trying to play their favorite jams on the radio. However, their strumming does not seem to be in the right pattern. This is common, especially for beginner players. 

This means instead of thinking about chords or capo, you may want to spend time just strumming on open strings to match the songs you intend to play. This lets you focus only on your strumming hand and be good at it. Chords and capo can always come later once your strumming is better.

Develop A Sense Of Rhythm: Another thing beginner guitar players struggle with is having a sense of rhythm or keeping their rhythm steady. Many newer players may be unable to keep a steady rhythm and speed up or down while playing. 

As a result, newer players may struggle to play along to their songs or keep their rhythm if they play in a band. This means beginner players should focus on playing with a metronome to ensure they are keeping to beats when they are playing. 

Once you have improved on these three aspects, you should be a pretty solid and emerging player. At this point, a capo may serve a better purpose, to help improve your sounds and ease your physical strain while playing. 

A capo will also not be a crutch or shortcut that will derail your progress.