A capo is an adjustable clamp attached to the guitar headstock which tightens over its strings to shorten them, enabling players to play chords in different keys more easily.
Knowing the various chord shapes and where to put the capo will enable you to transpose music effortlessly. Here are a few examples of popular songs played using open chords with capo.
1. Open A
Capo straps secure across a guitar neck a fret or more below its nut, retuning its strings while altering chord shapes.
Imagine that you love playing a song but find its intricate barre chords difficult to finger. A capo could be used at the appropriate fret so that open chords sound as though they belong in the original key they were written in.
2. Open C
This tuning is commonly employed in folk songs, providing access to bright chord voicings with full chord length. To use it, the fifth string needs to be tuned down one octave from G to A.
Kristian Matsson used this tuning in his song King of Spain to craft an engaging and uplifting track. By placing a capo on the eighth fret, an easy rhythm allows this tuning’s unique tonalities to come through clearly.
3. Open D
Open D is an excellent tuning to add some twang and unique sound to your guitar playing, as well as to break through creative blocks associated with standard chords.
Major chords are straightforward in this tuning; simply bar your fingers across the fretboard and strum! Try playing Little Martha by the Allman Brothers Band to experience all this tuning has to offer you.
4. Open E
Open E is a well-known tuning for slide guitar. Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band used this tuning extensively on numerous songs including Statesboro Blues.
Capoing also works well when singing songs in keys that are out of your vocal range; just capo at any fret to switch the key and make singing easier.
5. Open G
Open G is one of the premier altered tunings. Featuring spacey low drones and clustered high tones that create an engaging depth to blues and folk songs. Keith Richards made use of it on Brown Sugar and Honky Tonk Women before customising it by dropping out one low string.
This tuning allows for moveable major triads using strings 5th and 3rd in different octaves (pitches), providing fingerstyle patterns and unique chord structures.
6. Open F
Open F is similar to standard tuning, except it reduces each string by one tone – giving a looser feel and making the guitar less suitable for slide guitar players.
Fingerings for this chord are similar to other F chords; however, be wary of your first finger as it could mute the thinnest string if not played correctly – an often-made mistake by beginners!
7. Open G#
Open G is a widely used tuning for blues and rock music, providing major chords more simply while freeing your fingers for hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Fans of The Rolling Stones will recognize this tuning from classic songs such as Brown Sugar and Jumpin’ Jack Flash, while Joni Mitchell prefers it for its gentle sound when singing about nature and seasons on her album Blue.
8. Open C#
An alternate tuning such as open C can create a distinctive sound that pairs beautifully with certain songs, making this method especially favored among acoustic musicians like singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson in “King of Spain.” Alternate guitar tunings may initially seem challenging for beginners; with practice comes increased musical knowledge as you uncover new chord combinations and emotional tones that help set moods.
To achieve this tuning, lower the low E string two full steps down to C and raise up the B string one full step to C.
9. Open D#
Open D# tuning is often utilized by guitarists who play slide guitar. To use this tuning method, they lower each string down a half step; starting from E for E string to B to A then G for G to F# on all other strings.
Beginners looking to explore different chord shapes and tones should find this method particularly useful; just remember to double-check your intonation using a tuner!
10. Open E
Open E is an ideal tuning for blues guitar. Duane Allman famously used this tuning on his classic riffs and slide licks; Bob Dylan made extensive use of this tuning during Blood on the Tracks recordings as well.
As with Open D, Open E requires you to tighten the strings more than standard tuning in order to bring out the vibrant sound of seventh chords in this tuning.