capos?

[blaze]

why do the chords work the same when you capo a fret but they are not the same notes?

[Matty Boom]

the chords do not work the same...the chord positions work the same

a G chord position with a capo at the 3rd fret is a G, up three half steps...(G, G#, A, A#)

[blaze]

hmmm not sure i follow you. So if you capo the 3rd and play a g is it still a g?

[mdel21]

No it's not a G it's a Bb I believe.

[blaze]

so how come you can still cycle though the chords and it sounds the same??????

im confused.

[Matty Boom]

no, it's an A#

all those basic chord formations are relative to the nut

a capo changes the nut, essentially

so, EADGBE goes to whatever, depending on where you capo it

thus changing the notes in those chords you're playing, but it's all relative to where you put the capo

do yourself a favor and learn the fretboard

[blaze]

ok im getting it now. I get caught up on concepts sometimes. I dont like not knowing why thing are the way they are.

[blaze]

so is capo'ing the second fret like dropping the guit a half step?

[Matty Boom]

think about a capo being like a barred chord i guess...that's essentially what you're doing

and learn the fretboard

[fatjack]

so is capo'ing the second fret like dropping the guit a half step?

it would be like raising it a whole step

[Pickles]

it sounds the same because basically youre playing the same progression in a different key.

for example:

No Capo:

G D Em C
1 5 6 4 progression

Capo on, oh lets say, 2 (a whole step up, making it in the key of A):

A E F#m D
also a 1 5 6 4 progression

however youre still playing the A E F#m D as if it was G D Em C because of the capo.

[fatjack]

it sounds the same because basically youre playing the same progression in a different key.

for example:

No Capo:

G D Em C
1 5 6 4 progression

Capo on, oh lets say, 2 (a whole step up, making it in the key of A):

A E F#m D
also a 1 5 6 4 progression

however youre still playing the A E F#m D as if it was G D Em C because of the capo.

i feel so proud right now

[blaze]

ok thats cool how that works.

[Pickles]

i feel so proud right now

heh

[gravedigger]

so how come you can still cycle though the chords and it sounds the same??????

im confused.

it sounds the same to you playing by yourself because your ear quickly adjusts to the key that its hearing. but you play the same chords with a capo on the second fret along with someone else playing the same chords open without a capo and you'll easily hear the horrible difference.

but that is where the Capo comes in handy. playing in the key of G, you get the best sounding chord shapes so if you have to or want to play in a different key but still won't the sound of those shapes, than you just clamp the capo on the appropriate fret and you're in business. I like using the capo to play in different keys but the key form of G, C and D sometimes. I like those keys the best for playing.