A capo is an incredibly useful tool for banjo players who want to easily change the key of a song without having to learn entirely new chord shapes. In this article, we’ll walk through how to use the capo to play in different keys while staying in the familiar G tuning. Let’s get started!

Understanding G Tuning and the Capo

The most common tuning for banjos is G tuning. In this tuning, you have the following notes:

•  1st string (D)
•  2nd string (B)
•  3rd string (G)
•  4th string (D)
•  5th string (G)

If you’re playing in the key of G, you don’t need a capo. This is your open position and works perfectly fine for many bluegrass and old-time tunes.

Changing Keys with the Capo

The capo is used to raise the pitch of the open strings, effectively transposing your playing into a new key. Here’s how you can change keys with the capo on different frets:

1. Capo on the 1st Fret:
   When you place the capo on the first fret, you’re raising the pitch by a half step, which brings you to G# (or Ab). You’re playing the same chord shapes, but now in a higher key.
2. Capo on the 2nd Fret:
   Moving the capo to the second fret brings you to A. Now, when you play an open G chord shape, you’re actually playing an A chord. This is great for songs that are in the key of A.
3. Capo on the 3rd Fret:
   A capo on the third fret moves you to the key of A# (or Bb). These are the same notes, but it might be a bit higher for certain song styles.
4. Capo on the 4th Fret:
   When you place the capo on the fourth fret, you’re now playing in the key of B. This is a common key in bluegrass and other traditional genres, so be prepared to use this fret often.
5. Capo on the 5th Fret:
   The fifth fret capo puts you in the key of C. For those of you looking to play in C, this is a great spot to move to!
6. Capo on the 6th Fret:
   The 6th fret places you in the key of C# (or Db). This key is a bit more uncommon in bluegrass, but it’s useful to know how to reach it with the capo.
7. Capo on the 7th Fret:
   Finally, if you capo the 7th fret, you’re playing in the key of D. This is a very popular key in bluegrass and old-time music, and it’s often used when playing songs that are bright and uplifting.

You Must Capo the Fifth String to Match

Since the fifth string starts a bit higher than the other strings (it’s tuned to a high G note), you’ll need a fifth-string capo to keep the tuning consistent when you capo other strings.

For example, if you place your main capo on the second fret, you’ll need to capo the fifth string on it’s second fret as well (which is the banjo’s 7th fret, since the 5th string starts on the banjo’s 5th fret).

So…whatever fret you put your capo on, you need to capo the 5th string to it’s corresponding fret. Most banjos have “rails” to handle this. You can also buy a 5th string capo and there are several kinds. If you don’t already have a fifth-string capo, it’s something you should invest in!

Common Keys and Where to Place Your Capo

Here are the most common keys you’ll encounter in bluegrass and old-time music, along with the capo positions:

•  Key of G: No capo required, play in open G tuning.
•  Key of A: Capo the second fret and play as if you’re in G.
•  Key of B: Capo on the fourth fret.
•  Key of C: Capo on the fifth fret.
•  Key of D: Capo on the seventh fret (or play out of a C shape capoed at the second fret).

Playing out of the C shape in Different Capo Positions

For example, you can capo at the second fret and play a C chord shape. This will give you the key of D, as you’ve effectively transposed your playing up one whole step.

Similarly, if you capo on the fourth fret and play a C chord shape, you’re playing in the key of E. These variations are often used by players who want a more “open” sound or just prefer the feel of a certain chord shape.

The Short Answer

The capo is a simple yet powerful tool that allows banjo players to easily change the key of a song while sticking to familiar chord shapes. Whether you’re capoing at the second fret for the key of A or the seventh fret for the key of D, understanding how to use the capo effectively is a valuable skill for every banjo player.

Just remember to keep your fifth string capoed accordingly and experiment with different shapes to find the sound that works best for you!

Happy picking!