Doc-Z some of us, me included, DO look down on certain guitar players for using a capo.

You'd NEVER catch Lee Ritenaur, Larry Carleton, Tuck Andress and the like using a capo on an electric guitar. They use power chords.

Acoustic players, on the other hand, use the instrument as a combination chord instrument and percussion instrument. they need the open strings, or the bass note of the chord to vibrate and sustain naturally. That's why they use a capo; to get the tune in the right key for that kind of playing.

An electric player using a capo is generally just inexperienced and showing his lack of skill.


Russ

Boo, I was just listening to recording of you, me and Hank. Seems like you handled any key I called!
DonM

Russ, I don't look down on say Jimmy Vaughan for playing with a capo. Or Jony Mitchell, James Taylor or Jeff Buckley for that matter.

And the electric guitar is so much more than just power chords....

Some players use a capo for lack of experience, to enable them to play other keys. Do I look down on them - no - it is ok to be an inexperienced player.

But some players use a capo to get a certain voicing that you cannot get without using a capo. Some use them partially, just capoing a couple of strings for other effects, such as creating open tunings and such. If you want let's say a I-III-V-I-V-I voicing in C major.. it would be pretty hard - if not impossible without using a capo on the 5th fret and an open G chord. It doesn't matter if it is an electric, acoustic, ukulele, banjo or other string-slinger instrument. A capo is a musical tool, just like a pedal, mallet, pick, or metronome. In the end all that matters is the music you are able to express and the feeling you are able to project onto your audience. It doesn't really matter how you are able to do that. Whatever works for you is fine. Even if it means you only play three chords in C.

DocZ

[This message has been edited by doc-z (edited 11-20-2010).]

Don, I will admit I can play many tunes in different keys. However, I cannot play any tune in any key.

One of the more difficult keys for tenor sax is Db. "Body and Soul" is written in that key and any tenor man I've ever heard play it, he did it in Db, that includes me. It sounds best there too, to me. I play "I Cover the Water Front" also in Db. However, I cannot think of many of the most popular tunes written in Db.

If any one knows of a blues chart played by any saxplayer in B, D, Db, Gb, Ab or A, I would like to know of it. I would like to compare it with a chart they did in Bb, Eb, F, G, or C and find out if they can play as well in those tuff keys.

I might do a song in Db, but only to make it fit my voice. If so, I would probably use the transpose button, to make it easier for me.
I don't worry about making jazz songs, or any other songs, sound exactly like everybody else has done them since they were written. Probably couldn't if I wanted. It would be easier to play a recording of the real guy!
I guarantee that my audience does not know what key I'm playing in, except if Rory or someone else with perfect pitch were there. And then, I wouldn't care if they cared!
Use all the tools at your disposal as you wish to use them to make the job easier and better.
DonM

Because of the ergonomic shape relationship between the white & black notes, I find Db to be one of the 'more comfortable' keys to play in. Funny thing is that even though C#'s merely its enharmonic equivalent, playing & thinking in C# feels more difficult to play for me. Mind over matter?!

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 11-22-2010).]

I favor A and E. Mostly because I am so used to playing and singing in them.

DocZ

Doc-z, I think we're saying the same thing-you're just more diplomatic. For instance, I never thought Jimmy could play much. And, while James Taylor is one of my all-time favorites, he is an acoustic instrument specialist and uses his capo in a totally appropriate way-to put a tune in an appropriate key so he can effectively use open bass notes. I even saw Tommy Emmanuel use a capo once-same application and reason.

What you won't see is someone like Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Django or the like EVER using a capo. Of course, that's also related to style of music as much as anything.

Thing is, it only takes a minute or so of watching and listening to see if a player knows his/her stuff, and most players; particularly electric players using a capo are using it as a crutch. It is appropriate for a singer who accompanies himself/herself to use a capo if they make no claim of being an instrumentalist.

I have 300 plus guitars and there's never been a capo on a single one of them.

Of course, anyone can do whatever they want, but, for my style and jobs, they have no use.


Be well,


Russ

Hi Doc, wow 'very' interesting, as I find those two among my least desirable to play in, preferring Ab and Eb instead. For whatever reason I seem to enjoy playing in the flat keys more: F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb. Go figure.

Doc, is that because you are also a guitar player or have lots of time in playing in guitar bands? Those are keys favored by "pickers and grinners", for sure, along with D and G, of course.


R.