Free Banjo Lesson: Capo Tips And Tricks

[@nigelkarney]

Hi Mike. This was a really useful lesson, with tips I have not come across anywhere else, like positioning and tightness of the capo ..........I now realise the reasons for problems I have experienced. Many thanks.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Great! Glad you found it helpful. - Mike

[@marinevet7273]

Thank you this part was an excellent explanation

[@davidbergsbaken2551]

Great video Mike. On an unrelated question, what tunes (or portions of tunes) were you playing? Great sounds.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

A little bit of Pretty Polly and then some blues licks for fun. - Mike

[@hellseeker-inc9756]

What if you dont have spikes for 5th string and need to use a capo for a song? Do you just compensate a fret if on the 5th string if the other 4 strings are capo-ed on say the second frett? Hope that makes sense. I saw videos were they said capo the 2nd frett but my banjo has no spikes or anything for the 5th string. I didnt even know the 5th needed it til you said it😄 and (yes i am new to banjo😊)

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

There are alternate 5th string capos that you can get that attaches to the neck but doesn't require spikes. You can search for one and probably get one online. I'd be careful how far you tune up with 5th string without spikes or a 5th string capo. You could probably tune it up to A without issue but much a lot higher and you might break the string. Most songs can be played without a capo for practice but having a 5th string capo or spikes will make things easier! Good luck. - Mike

[@Gornking]

Great video, thanks.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thank you kindly. - Mike

[@foggymountainmusic3468]

About the capo thing. Can you just put the tuning up instead of having 5th string capos?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

I wouldn't recommend that. There's a chance you could break the 5th string if you tune it up much higher than A. If you don't want to get spikes installed I'd recommend a 5th string capo. - Mike

[@FishHardGetLucky]

Thank you.. This video was really helpful

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Nice! Glad to hear it was helpful. - Mike

[@michaellandau5765]

Good tips! I would add to this that it's not a good idea to keep a capo on a banjo when it is not being used. I've made that mistake more than once. I believe it tends to stretch the strings if the capo is left on for an extended period? Is that correct?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

I do take my capo off everytime after using it but no the capo shouldn't stretch out the strings if left on. If you're putting your banjo in your case it's definitely a good idea to keep the capo off the banjo as the case could be pressing down on the capo.

[@Bascomblodge]

Any tips to keep my left hand from hitting & shifting the Shubb capo while playing?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

You might be putting the capo on too loose? If you hit the capo lightly, it shouldn’t move or come undone. If you’re hitting it harder, than that’s a left hand technique issue you’ll have to look at. Normally though your left hand should be touching the capo while you’re playing. - Mike

[@Bascomblodge]

@@MikeHeddingMusic Thanks Mike.

[@royliquor3315]

what thickness of strings do you have here? mediums?

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

FORESKIN LICKER Medium-Light. I use GHS PF145 strings. -Mike

[@thebeerhunter817]

Great video mate

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Thank you! I hope your hunt for beer is going well. - Mike

[@bomark2002]

He’s not found the beer yet??????