Beginning Ukulele - How and Why to use a Capo - New to Uke

[@ttrtrttr7284]

The best video about a capo for ukulele! Considering I've searched for it on both Russian and English youtube. Thank you for the explanation

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Wow, thank you!

[@JumpingJimmyAllen]

Thanks, Lisa. I often use a capo on a baritone. If I’m playing alone, I put it on the fretboard to suit my voice. If I’m playing with other ukuleles, I put it on the fifth fret to change to their tuning.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

It is great for a baritone!!! Thanks for your wonderful tutorial. I am going to use that and teach that too!

[@elainepalmer8268]

Just come across this tutorial and realise it answers the question in today’s email!! Thanks

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Happy to help!

[@azekiel2525]

The best video about a capo for ukulele! Considering I've searched for it on both Russian and English youtube. Thank you for the explanat

[@TheUkuleleFool]

You're very welcome! I am doing a ukulele give away. Have you registered? I will send internationally.

[@sharlynnc8018]

Thanks so much! I finally understand .

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Glad it helped! Come join us on Patreon. I offer live session on Zoom to play easy songs and Q and A. Only $3 a month and you also get all my chord charts and the New to Uke Guide.

[@Alisapao]

Lisa, this looks a bit intimidating for me! lol! But that won't stop me from trying! Thank you for the explanation! I was curious! I haven't tried Margaritaville yet, but I'll be sure and purchase a capo for when I do! Thanks again!

[@TheUkuleleFool]

A capo is very useful for beginners. Particularly if a song you are working on doesn't fit well with your vocal range.

[@Alisapao]

Thanks Lisa!

[@TheUkuleleFool]

You are welcome, Alisa. BTW - I should get your photo of the headstock ornaments to you this weekend. You can choose which one you'd like.

[@Alisapao]

Thank you!

[@mr.keebler7927]

Howdy Lisa Great episode here to help people understand the capo. The only reason I carry a capo is for when I am playing with other musicians who use one ... and I'll be dang if nine outta ten times it's a guitarist that will use a capo durning a gathering of musicians.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Right!?!?! What's with that? Thanks again I am so grateful for your support.

[@ramjet0549]

When I used a capo on a cheapish (

[@TheUkuleleFool]

A capo shouldn't cause tuning issues. Hmmm. That's curious. Have you checked the tuning of the notes up the neck without the capo. Maybe your strings are wearing thin and need changing?

[@ramjet0549]

@@TheUkuleleFool yes well I do think I had some intonation issues with my soprano so you are probably right. I now play a Pono soprano most of the time but not with a capo.

[@ramjet0549]

I think what was happening with the capo was it was bending the strings so maybe a better quality one and careful placement would make a difference.

[@UkuleleBetty]

Hi Lisa! Thanks for the simplified how and why of using a capo. As a music novice, I'm still not quite sure how you know on which fret to place the capo. I have seen ukulele capo chord charts. I hope to learn to transpose "on the fly" in time.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Thanks for suggesting this video Betty!!!

[@whitneymillsap4972]

I love your singing voice!

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Thank you so much!

[@neverstoplearning2]

That was a great explanation. Because the Tenor range ((I'm talking about Soprano. Alto , Tenor, Bass, not uke size, lol) is most comfortable for me, I do t imagine I would want to make a song any higher...except maybe Johnny Cash,. LOL.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

If you make a song high - then you can take a song an octave lower. I just did that on a performance on a Zoom performance this weekend.

[@libertas1776]

If I'm playing a ukulele with two guitarists and sometimes they have songs that are capoed to maybe the fourth or fifth fret - would I also capo to the same fourth fret or would it be capoed on a different fret in order to match what the guitarists are playing? Thanks for the video!!

[@TheUkuleleFool]

It gets a bit trickier to change your ukulele to match a guitar. For example, the key of A is very easy for guitars and in the key of A you would expect to find a lot of E and D chords. Not so easy on a ukulele. To match that you could put a capo on the second fret and play in the key of G. When fingering a G chord with the capo on the second fret, it would sound like an A. You would finger G C and D to match the guitar A D and E chords.

[@libertas1776]

@@TheUkuleleFool Thanks for your reply!

[@gfeezer]

Do you know why my ukulele makes a buzzing sound When I put the capo on the first fret?

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Gwenivar - I have been playing around with my capo, trying to get a buzz. The only time I got a buzz is when I went further up the neck on my concert sized instrument that has a thicker neck. At some point the capo wasn't large enough to hold down the A string and I got a buzz. Let me know if that helped.

[@gfeezer]

The Ukulele Fool yes it did thank you.

[@KjellChristensen__KC-MUSIC]

Halo my friend. Thanks for sharing. All the best/Kjell 🎸 👍

[@evasuliman6955]

Should I get a capo if I’m a beginner??

[@TheUkuleleFool]

I wouldn't worry about getting a capo until you are feeling really comfortable with C F G, C7, G7, Am, Dm, A, E7 and D. Once you are feeling fluent with those 10 chords, then splurge on a capo.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

Eva - have you checked out what I offer on Patreon? Come join our beginners at the $3 a month level, cancel at any time. I have a song based guide that takes you from the beginning to the Bb chord, and being able to master the chuck. Additionally, you will be helping support my charity goals. Current goal is getting 6 ukuleles to a musical therapy unit that works with autistic youth and young adults.

[@robertfrisbee]

I use a capo occasionally, another tool for your gig bag. I prefer the G7th capo.....

[@TheUkuleleFool]

I am really grateful that I can transpose on the fly. I rarely use a capo, but it is very helpful for beginners.

[@sandragayle7866]

Interesting, I am harpist but for some reason I have always been attractive to the ukulele. I will admit I am a big fan of Iz Kamakawiwo' ole and I love playing him on my harp. IZ sound beautiful on the harp. But I own three ukuleles and yes I like to play around with them but to really learn to play the ukulele not sure. That little instrument can be a bit underestimated. The harp is difficult and I expected that, I have been playing the harp for just over 20 years. But people are always saying the ukulele is easy that is not true. It's like trying to learn the guitar. it is a tiny guitar, like the harp if you find a teacher for the ukulele, They expect you to just jump in and start playing songs. I don't like that. If I could find a good ukulele teacher who can really teach the finger-picking style, scales, arpeggios and chords. Correct fingering and solos. Then I could learn it I am sure. But it seems everyone teach the ukulele the same way. But listen to the way Iz play the ukulele. His skill was amazing! There has to be more.

[@TheUkuleleFool]

It has been an interesting journey for me as a classically trained flute player (I performed at the National Flute Convention in August) that jumped over to pitched percussion and then to ukulele. Things are codified and the ukulele hasn't been around for that long. I dove in and used it as a vehicle to sing and play with others and it has been liberating. I have been auditioning since I was 8, and the "come one, come all" attitude in the ukulele world is refreshing. Most of the great players learned by sitting around watching and listening to others. I will be launching my free "Learn Your First Fingerpicking Pattern" course very soon. It has been beta tested, and I have done the tweaks from that experience, and all the filming has been completed. Follow me on Facebook - The Ukulele Fool for the launch.

[@sandragayle7866]

@@TheUkuleleFool That's amazing! Well you and I have a lot in common. I played classical flute for almost as long as I have been playing the harp. I had a open hold lower B foot sterling silver Haynes flute. But I gave up the flute to master the harp. Trust me it took that. But way to go.