Guitar Capos: 5 Tracks to Transform Your Playing
One small device that changes everything...
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Guitar capos allow for instant access to higher keys without the theory headaches. Here are 5 songs that will level up your approach to chord work.
5 Songs to Practice with Capos:
Key Information About Guitar Capos:
- Guitar capos help you to unlock new keys in an instant. Allowing players to change pitches and keys without learning new chord shapes.
- Ideal for beginners, sometimes capos help to simplify songs that may use barre chords or other complicated shapes.
- Perfect for singers and cover artists. Maybe the original record is too low for your vocal range. Simply apply a capo and watch your music soar.
Guitar Capos: Not just for buskers
Many guitarists have never used a guitar capo before. It all depends on where you are in your playing journey, or what you spend most of your time playing. I would argue that every player should have a capo in their gig bag.
For those of us who are blessed with a singing voice, of which I am not, capos are a great tool to easily change the pitch of the song that you’re playing. Instead of worrying about different tunings or barre chords, by adding a capo onto higher frets, you’ve easily improved your performance.
It’s not just weird folk songs that use them! There are still hit records being written today that use them. From Norwegian Wood to Man I Need, you’ll always find a use for them.
If these 5 tracks inspire you to pick up and play, why not check out *Thomann’s selection of capos? There’s something for everyone.
Run To You – Bryan Adams
For our first look into songs to transform your playing, this 1984 hit from Bryan Adams is a perfect starting point. Blending a simple open-string riff with basic chords, it covers every foundation. Plus, it’s only possible with a guitar capo.
Before we do anything else, we have to ensure that the guitar capo is located on the 2nd fret. This raises the pitch of the guitar from E to F#(sharp). From here, you may wish to get comfortable playing your open chord shapes in this new position. Don’t worry, though, everything else stays the same.
The riff is a repeated phrase that plays not only in the intro, but throughout the verses. Therefore, you really get a lot of value out of this riff. Why not give it a try with the TAB below?
All About You – Mcfly
For our second look into songs that use guitar capos, we’re sticking with the beginner open chord theme. This 2000s acoustic anthem has had over 80 million streams on Spotify. Let’s learn how to play it then!
McFly have admitted that they tried to sound like The Beach Boys in their first album, with lots of inspiration being taken from Brian Wilson’s vocal harmonies. You can really hear it!
As for us guitarists, we’re using a capo on the 1st fret, and we’re continuing to work on open chords. I love the rise and fall of the F to Fm in the chords; there’s something very Oasis about it. Plus, try to play E7 rather than the regular E. It sounds great!
Hotel California – The Eagles
For many, Hotel California is all about the big solo at the end. Sure, it’s cool and everything, but there are loads of other goodies to get excited about way before that. Let’s take a look.
The intro is played on a 12-string guitar and is only possible with a guitar capo on the 7th fret. It is somewhat difficult at first, but you can also play it on a 6-string guitar to make it a little easier.
Furthermore, this is a great song to improve your rhythm playing. If barre chords aren’t your thing yet, you can easily play the verse and chorus chords with the capo on the 2nd fret. Two for the price of one, you won’t complain at that!
Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
From beginner chord work to a guitar riff slightly more complex. It’s thanks to the guitar capo that this George Harrison composition sounds so magical.
Putting your capo on the 7th fret unlocks a new world of tonal possibilities. However, as the frets get narrower down the neck, the space that you have to make chords becomes limited. This is something to consider.
However, the riff is based largely around D suspended chord shapes, chucking in a few hammer-ons and note runs to enhance the overall sound. Especially when played on an acoustic guitar, you can’t help but smile hearing this one.
Wonderwall – Oasis
Concluding our look at songs that use guitar capos and how they can transform your playing, we have the ultimate cliche when it comes to guitar playing. Therefore, we just had to include it!
Once again, we need the capo to be on the 2nd fret. This is a common theme, most likely because it sounds so clean and makes a refreshing change from standard tuning!
We need four chords for this one, but there is a twist. You want to keep your 3rd and 4th fingers on the B and high E strings with every chord that you play. This creates suspended chords and gives Wonderwall its iconic sound. The drone notes are the make-or-break with this progression.
Videos
Further Information
*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
