Guitar Capo Guide: Styles & Recommended Models

A good guitar capo is integral to acoustic guitar life. The ability of capos to recreate luscious open chords in new keys is critical to the acoustic guitar’s versatility.

For example, if a singer wants to move the song up a key, it usually sounds best to simply capo up a whole step and keep all the voicings, fingerings, and “sound” of the chords the same. So without further ado, we’re going to take a quick look at the options.

Note: For a quick run down on what capos are and how they work, see this previous post.

 

Guitar Capo Styles

1. Strap Capos

Strap capos do what their name implies – they attach to the guitar neck via a strap. The capo is nothing more than a bar with an elastic or “tightenable” (is that a word?) strap attached to it.

PROS

• Easy to use.
• Inexpensive.
• Easy to slide up and down the neck.

CONS

• Straps tend to wear out (especially elastic ones).
• May slip around a bit in position, which affects intonation.

Examples

• Dunlop 7191 Bill Russell Elastic Heavy Capo
• Jim Dunlop 70F Flat Strap Elastic Guitar Capo
• Performance Plus GC-F Flat Elastic Capo for Classical Guitar

 

2. Toggle Capo

Same as the Strap capo, but in order to tighten the strap, you pull a toggle that snaps the capo tight. Kind of like latch on a toolbox.

PROS

• Inexpensive.

CONS

• The toggle mechanism can bring the strings out of tune.

Examples

• Dunlop 11F Advanced Toggle Capo, Flat
• Dunlop 14C Professional Toggle Capo, Curved

 

 

3. Trigger Capos

Trigger capos function just like the “chip clip” you put on your bag of Doritos. You press the clamp, place over guitar neck, and release, allowing the capo to clamp down on the neck. These are very popular.

PROS

• Very easy to use.
• Easy to move quickly, which helps in “live” situations where time is of the essence.
• Firm attachment.
• Last a long time.

CONS

• As you apply the capo, the design makes the capo apply pressure beginning on one string, then, the next, etc. Because you apply the capo so quickly, you don’t really think about it. But by having all the tension exerted from one side of the fretboard, it can make the intonation screwy.
• I’m also not a fan of the angle that some of these clips have on the back side of the fretboard. It can feel off-balance, or even dig into the wood a bit.

Examples

• Kyser KG6B 6 String Capo
• Dunlop 84FB Acoustic Trigger Capo
• Nordic Essentials Aluminum Metal Universal Guitar Capo

 

4. Spring Capos

Same as the Trigger capo, but uses a slightly more sophisticated spring mechanism to apply pressure.

PROS

• Easy to move with one hand.
• The direct spring feels more “solid” to me than the chip-clip style spring of the Trigger Capo.

CONS

• Intonation is still a problem because the tension is still coming from one side of the capo.

Examples

• Donner DC-2 One Handed Trigger Guitar Capo
• Mugig Guitar Capo

5. Adjustable Screw Capos

Adjustable screw capos have been around a long time.  It feels like any old acoustic guitar case I open has a Shubb hanging out in the pocket inside.  This capo operates by having a screw that you tighten down, applying pressure to the back of the guitar neck (typically through an arm). This allows the screw to apply pressure evenly from the back. A good capo for recording or home practice.

PROS

• The screw applies pressure evenly, helping it to keep in tune better.
• They’re less jerky than spring-loaded capos when applying them.
• They’re inexpensive.

CONS

• Not easy to change position quickly.

Examples

• Shubb Deluxe Series GC-30 (S1)

 

6. Yoke-style Capos

Yoke-style capos are similar to adjustable screw capos.  They both use a screw on the back of the guitar neck to apply pressure to tighten the capo.  The yoke-style capo, though, compeletly wraps around the neck.  This allows the screw to apply pressure from dead center in the back of the neck.  The front capo pad swings open using a hinge.  These capos look very cool (or maybe a bit elaborate, depending on your taste).

PROS

• Great even pressure from the centered screw in the back.
• Looks very striking.

CONS

• A bit more work to put on and take off (though sliding it around once it’s on is not so bad).

Examples

• G7th’s Heritage Capo
• Paige PC-6-2.250-R Clik Guitar Capo

 

7. Unique Designs…

There are a host of unique designs for capos, as well.  Check out the links at the bottom of this article if you’re interested in exploring. Here are a few more popular examples:

The Performance 2

G7th has a popular capo – the Performance 2.  This capo uses a unique tension system so that you close the capo and it holds (with good strength) at whatever position you place it.  No springs, chip-bag-clip-like pinching – very neat and easy.

For a full review on the Performance 2, see here >>

 

 

Partial Capos

Partial capos are also popular with acoustic guitarists using alternate tunings, or complicated chord voicings. The capo is typically a spring or adjustable screw style capo. It only has a short piece that clips to the fretboard, maybe covering 3 of the 6 strings.

• Shubb C7B Brass Partial Capo (covers 3 inside strings)
• Kyser Short-Cut Capo
• G7th Newport Partial #3 Capo

 

More…

And then there are also a lot of capos where you get the sense someone has too much time on their hands…

See the Spider Capo for a good example of this >>

Just one more example.  Here, we’ve got some clever tuner tech built in.

 

Have comments or suggested capos?  Put them in the comments below!

 

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Further Reading:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capo
2. http://www.theguitarcapo.com/
3. https://www.guitarfella.com/types-guitar-capos/
4. http://www.sternercapo.se/Capomuseum/
5. http://www.partialcapo.com/devices.htm
6. https://reverb.com/news/the-6-best-guitar-capos-for-every-player

The post Guitar Capo Guide: Styles & Recommended Models appeared first on The Guitar Journal.

Level Up Your Strumming Technique with Spanish Guitar Exercises

Edina Balczo is an UK based guitarist who hosts a popular YouTube channel, The Spanish Guitar Hub, with 9 million views and 37,000 subscribers. And, very importantly, she’s soon coming out with a book (and video series) on Spanish Guitar Strumming Techniques.

With a long background playing Spanish-style guitar in her group, de Fuego, and stellar teaching career beginning with her YouTube channel in 2006, Edina is ideally place to teach someone the Spanish strumming ropes.

What is Spanish Guitar Strumming?

Her Spanish Guitar Strumming Techniques material focuses on the right hand – on how to achieve that famous Spanish sound through fast, percussive, and grooving strumming.

For those not familiar, Spanish guitar strumming include things like (and these are all covered in the book):

• Basic rumba technique
• Rumba technique variations
• Pulgar
• Flamenco triplet
• Adding the hit to the flamenco triplet
• Golpe strumming
• Rasgueado
• Muted rasgueado
• Rasgueado variations
• Hammer-on and Pull-off
• Tango with rasgueado
• Alzapua as a strumming technique
• Drumming techniques

While these strumming techniques are the main aim of the material, Edina covers a number of other topics to get there:

• How to read Tab
• Rythym reading
• Chord composition
• CAGED System

So, regardless of your starting point, this teaching material will give you an on-ramp to learning the Spanish style.

Why is it Important?

I think this material is important for several reasons:

Because so much of guitar technique focuses on the fretting hand – scales, chord shapes, speed exercises.

And even fingerpicking exercises often become a dual-handed exercise in smooth chord transitions, rather than a strict picking exercise.  It’s rare to find such an extensive resource that focuses just on right-hand strumming.

Because Edina presents clear, helpful information on percussive use of the guitar body.

Acoustic fingerstyle guitar makes great use of drum beat-like hitting and slapping of the guitar body.  But it’s difficult to figure out how to start achieving that technique for yourself.  Edina presents some helpful introduction on this topic.

Because Edina herself is obviously in love with music.

One of the great gifts that any teacher gives to the student is a passion for the subject. Guitar lessons are no exception.  Edina’s warmth and enthusiasm are infectious.

Where To Get It

The Spanish Guitar Strumming Technique material is comprised of two sections:

a) an eBook

b) a video series (under development).

The easiest way to get access is to go to Edina’s Kickstarter page and donate £14. This will get you early access to the eBook.  In addition, you’ll be funding her way towards production of the video lessons.

NOTE: The Kickstarter closes this week (Feb 20), so get it while the gettin’s good!

 

If you’re looking to just get a sense of this Spanish Guitar stuff, you can check out her YouTube channel for some quick lessons.

 

The post Level Up Your Strumming Technique with Spanish Guitar Exercises appeared first on The Guitar Journal.

EarPeace HD: Make Sure You Never Lose Your Most Valuable Tools

I was recently jazzed to try out the EarPeace HD high fidelity hearing protection ear plugs.

From Beethoven to Pete Townsend, the dreaded enemy of any of any musician is hearing loss. And while we typically think of huge Marshall electric guitar amps as the cause of musician’s hearing loss, the reality is that our ears are constantly under assault. I mean, just try having a conversation while they blend that smoothie at the juice bar.  Right?

We should be using ear protection as much as possible in order to preserve our hearing. At sporting events, car shows, even concerts.  We don’t want to lose our most valuable tools as musicians (our sensitive ears!).

And with high quality ear plugs these days, you can actually retain the fidelity of the sound source while lowering the overall decibel level.  A “win-win” for enjoying loud concerts without paying a long-term price.

So how does the EarPeace HD solve this problem for us?

About EarPeace HD

EarPeace aims to provide high quality ear protection by way of 3 styles of optimized ear plugs: EarPeace HD for musicians, EarPeace M for motorsports, and EarPeace S for loud work environments.

For our purposes on The Guitar Journal, we tested out these EarPeace HD.  The HD ear plugs are presented with a number of benefits:

• High fidelity sound (at a lower decibel) is the primary marketing point here.
• Comfort – which they enhance with a nice “tab” feature for easy placement and removal.
• Low profile design, and high quality materials.
• A high-profile clientele of musicians like Metallica and brands like Red Bull using EarPeace .(Not really a benefit, but makes you feel like you’re in good company. Maybe.)

High Fidelity Sound?

Let’s break down the “High Fidelity Sound” claim for a second.  This is the most important claim for us as a musician, and the most questionable at face value.  After all, how do you let me hear good sound by blocking the sound?

This claim is based on the use of an attenuation filter. To quote EarPeace:

“The attenuation filters allow a precise amount of unobstructed sound to enter the ear in a specific way. You get great sound at a lower volume and the background noise is filtered out.”

The attenuation filter is a plastic piece fitted in the middle of the ear plug.  The EarPeace HD comes with three sets that can be changed out:

• Medium Protection (CLEAR) = SNR 17 / NRR 11. These filters are suitable for most loud events. Rehearsals, dance events, movies are all examples.
• High Protection (RED) = SNR 20 / NRR 14. These filters are perfect for your live concerts and festivals. When you are close to the stacks you need extra protection.
• Max Protection (BLACK) = SNR 26 / NRR 19. These filters are total block for when you need real quiet. Perfect for working the stage or sleeping after the show.

Typical foam ear plugs just block all sound, creating a muted effect.  But the EarPeace HDs are designed to plug block sounds around most of the plug, while letting a quieter, but still clear, sound through the filter in the middle.

If you really want to geek out, EarPeace does some elaborate testing with the results here (click to enlarge):

Cost & Where to Buy

You can buy EarPeace HD at Amazon for $21.95.

You can also buy them directly from the EarPeace website for $20.

PROs & CONs

PROs

• The high fidelity thing actually works.  Instead of feeling isolated from the music, you can hear pretty clearly.
• The tab is a deceptively simple little nub that really helps in placing and removing the ear plugs.
• They look cool – the ones I tried were a see-through-ish silicone.
• The traveling case is nice, since I have a tendency to leave things like these in my shirt pocket and put them through the wash.

CONs

• The attenuation filters take a bit of fiddling to change out.  I don’t see myself remembering to bring all the filters and change them from show to show.  I’d likely leave in the mid-level filter most of the time unless I was going be at something very, very loud.

Conclusion

The EarPeace HD ear plugs are high-quality, effective ear protection suited to musicians or music lovers. They’ve got a good product for a reasonable price. What’s not to love?

Buy EarPeace HD >>

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