The common capo mistakes for beginners are putting the capo in the middle of the fret instead of just behind the fret wire, using too much pressure so the strings go sharp, forgetting to retune after placing the capo, and choosing a fret that is too high, which makes the guitar sound thin.
What are the common capo mistakes for beginners?
The common capo mistakes for beginners are putting the capo in the middle of the fret instead of just behind the fret wire, using too much pressure so the strings go sharp, forgetting to retune after placing the capo, and choosing a fret that is too high, which makes the guitar sound thin and jangling. Each mistake is easy to make, and each one is easy to fix, once you know what to look for, and the capo will sound clean and in tune when the mistakes are avoided. The capo is a simple tool, but it is also a precise one: it must press all six strings down evenly, just behind the fret wire, with just enough pressure to stop the buzzing and no more. A beginner who puts the capo in the middle of the fret will hear buzzing, because the strings are not pressed firmly against the fret wire. A beginner who squeezes the capo too hard will hear the guitar go sharp, because the pressure pulls the strings out of tune. A beginner who forgets to retune will hear the guitar sound slightly sharp, because placing the capo always pulls the strings a little sharp. The capo calculator works out the fret, and the guitar tuner checks the tuning after you place the capo.
How capo mistakes happen
The placement mistake happens because the capo is put in the middle of the fret, where the strings have room to vibrate and buzz, instead of just behind the fret wire, where the strings are pressed firmly against the metal. The pressure mistake happens because the capo is a spring or a screw, and a beginner will squeeze it as hard as they can, thinking more pressure is better, when in fact just enough pressure is best. The tuning mistake happens because the capo pulls the strings sharp, especially the low E string, which is the thickest and the most sensitive to pressure, and the beginner does not check the tuning after placing the capo. The fret-choice mistake happens because the beginner counts the fret wrong, or chooses a fret that is too high, thinking a higher fret is better. A capo on the 2nd fret raises the pitch by two semitones, not by two whole tones, and a capo on the 9th fret will make the guitar sound thin and jangling, because the strings are so short. The G major guitar chord with a capo on the 2nd fret sounds as A major, and the C major guitar chord with a capo on the 3rd fret sounds as Eb major, and the fret is always the number of semitones, one per fret.
Worked example — fixing a buzzing capo. A beginner puts a capo on the 2nd fret and plays a G shape, and the chord buzzes. The first check is the placement: the capo is in the middle of the fret, so move it to just behind the fret wire, close to the metal, and the buzzing stops. The second check is the pressure: the capo is too loose, so tighten it a little, just enough to stop the buzzing, and no more, or the strings will go sharp. The third check is the tuning: play the open strings and check them against the guitar tuner, and retune the low E string, which has gone slightly sharp. The chord is now clean and in tune, and the three checks, placement, pressure and tuning, are the fix for most capo problems.
How to practise avoiding capo mistakes
Practise by placing the capo deliberately, slowly, and checking each step, so the correct placement becomes a habit and the mistakes disappear.
- Place the capo just behind the fret wire, close to the metal, and play a chord, listening for buzzing, and move the capo if you hear it.
- Practise using just enough pressure to stop the buzzing, and no more, so the strings do not go sharp, and check the tuning after you place the capo.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major with a capo on the 2nd fret, and check the tuning after you place the capo, retuning if necessary.
- Practise choosing a capo fret by counting semitones, and check your answer against the capo chart, so the fret is always right.
- Use the guitar tuner to check your tuning after every capo move, until checking the tuning becomes automatic.
Common mistakes
- Putting the capo in the middle of the fret — A capo in the middle of a fret will buzz, because the strings are not pressed firmly against the fret wire. Put the capo just behind the fret wire, close to it, so the strings are held down cleanly.
- Using too much pressure — A capo that is too tight pulls the strings sharp, especially on a lightly built guitar, and the guitar will sound out of tune. Use just enough pressure to stop the buzzing, and no more.
- Forgetting to retune — Putting a capo on can pull the strings slightly sharp, so check your tuning after you place the capo, and retune if necessary, especially on the low E string.
Quick reference
This table lists the four common capo mistakes, with the symptom each one causes and the fix for it, so you can diagnose a capo problem in seconds. The first three rows are placement, pressure and tuning, which are the most common, and the fourth row is fret choice, which is the most confusing for beginners.
| Mistake | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Capo in the middle of the fret | Buzzing strings | Move it to just behind the fret wire |
| Too much pressure | Strings go sharp | Use just enough pressure to stop the buzzing |
| Forgetting to retune | Guitar sounds slightly sharp | Check the tuning after placing the capo |
| Fret too high | Thin, jangling sound | Choose a different shape at a lower fret |
Use the table as a checklist when a capo does not sound right: find the symptom, find the mistake, and apply the fix, in order, placement, pressure, tuning, and then fret choice. When you can diagnose a capo problem in seconds, you will never be stuck with a buzzing or out-of-tune capo again.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common capo mistakes for beginners?
Putting the capo in the middle of the fret instead of just behind the fret wire, using too much pressure so the strings go sharp, forgetting to retune after placing the capo, and choosing a fret that is too high, which makes the guitar sound thin.
Why does my capo buzz?
Because it is in the middle of the fret, or because it is too loose, so the strings are not pressed firmly against the fret wire. Move the capo to just behind the fret wire, and tighten it a little, just enough to stop the buzzing.
Why does my guitar go out of tune with a capo?
Because the capo pulls the strings sharp, especially if it is too tight, and the low E string is the most sensitive. Use just enough pressure to stop the buzzing, and check the tuning after you place the capo, retuning if necessary.
Can a capo damage my guitar?
No, if it is used correctly. A capo that is too tight can pull the strings sharp, and a capo left on the guitar for a long time can mark the fretboard, but a capo used normally, with just enough pressure, will not damage the guitar.
Should I take the capo off when I am not playing?
Yes. A capo left on the guitar will pull the strings sharp over time, and it can mark the fretboard, so take it off when you are not playing, and store it in your case.