6 Free Video Guitar lessons - Click Here!

Putting the capo on your guitar

There are many different types of capos. One very common type, and usually the least expensive ($2 or $3 US) is an elastic capo. Not the best, but it will work well enough to get you started.

Place the capo in about the middle of the fret

Stretch the elastic around the neck and hook it. You want to make sure that it is tight enough to clamp all of the strings down. Make sure there is not any buzzing.

Also make sure that none of the strings are pulled to the side. If they are, then your guitar will be out of tune.

Acoustic guitars will usually require a double elastic capo. A single elastic capo will not create enough presser to barre the strings on an acoustic.

Other types of capos clap the strings down in various ways, but the idea for all of them is the same.

Page 1, Guitar capo basics

Page 3, Understanding the basics of notes