"A simple move up the neck can open up new voicings, textures, and moods you would never get from standard open chords": 5 creative ways to use a capo

If you have played guitar for more than five minutes, chances are someone has handed you a capo. Right after a guitar pick and a tuner, it is one of the first accessories most of us end up with. And if you're anything like me, you've probably bought (and lost) more guitar capos than you would like to admit. They seem to have a habit of vanishing into the void, only to reappear months later in a guitar case you haven’t used in ages.

At first, you probably used a capo for its most obvious job: shifting songs into a new key so you can sing along without blowing out your voice. And yes, that is a total lifesaver when you're fumbling through Wonderwall at an open mic. But here is the thing – a capo doesn't just have to be a crutch for your vocal range. With a little creativity, it can completely change the way you approach the guitar.

A simple move up the neck can open up new voicings, textures, and moods you would never get from standard open chords. Some capos allow you to create brand new tunings and can be a secret weapon in the studio. Honestly, some of my favorite riffs and song ideas came from just slapping a capo on and seeing what happens.

So, instead of treating it like that random bit of metal and plastic rattling around your gig bag, let's look at five fun and creative ways to use the humble capo – and maybe spark a few ideas you didn’t see coming.

Guitar World Contributor

Guitar World Contributor

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"I've been playing guitar for the last 20 years and have met my fair share of capos. I have a capo to thank for sparking my love affair with open tunings and, in the process, I've tested, played, and lost more capos to my bandmates than they would care to admit. During my day job in a busy high-street guitar store, I've fielded countless capo questions and helped players get exactly what is right for them, and convinced people of the benefits of these little marvels."

1. Revoicing your guitar’s tone 

One of the simplest ways to unlock new sounds from your guitar is by slapping a capo high up the neck. Once you get past the 6th or 7th fret, your acoustic starts to take on a whole new personality. In fact, it stops sounding so much like a guitar and starts flirting with banjo or mandolin territory – bright, snappy, and full of treble sparkle.

I have always loved this trick for recording sessions. That thinner, less bass-heavy voice sits perfectly on top of a mix, or lets you carve out space when you're playing alongside other guitarists at a jam. Instead of competing for the same sonic real estate, you're adding a totally different texture.

So next time you want your six-string to sound like it's gone undercover as another instrument, try capoing way up the neck. It's like discovering you had a secret weapon hiding inside your guitar all along.

Want to know more? Our very own Stuart Ryan walks you through this technique in the video below.

The Easy Chord Trick Used by The Beatles, The Eagles and Paul Simon – Capo at the 7th fret! - YouTube

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2. Create an alternate tuning

If you want to get creative and breathe new life into your guitar, alternate tunings are a fantastic way to do it. These days, there are capo products on the market that let you experiment with alternate tunings, heck, even invent your own, without touching a single tuning peg.

Take the Creative Tunings Universal Spider Capo, for example. With its six individually rotating teeth, you can choose which strings are fretted and which are left open. Sure, it only covers one fret, but you can build some surprisingly complex intervals and have a blast creating tunings that would normally put your strings at risk.

And the Spider is just one option in a whole world of partial capos designed to target specific strings. Don’t just take my word for it, players like Joni Mitchell, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and John Mayer have all used partial capos to great effect in their music. The opportunities here are exciting and endlessly inspiring.

3. Bass drone by leaving the 6th string open

This one is a personal favorite of mine. Some people call it a “bass drop.” By placing the capo upside down and leaving the low E string open, you create a bass note that acts like a drone whenever you hit it.

Of course, this only works if your low E is in the same key as the song, but you can always retune that string to match. It might take some trial and error to find the right tuning for the vibe you want, but honestly, that's part of the fun. Try leaving the bass string out until the second verse. When it comes in, it can hit hard and add a lot of weight. It's a great trick for singer-songwriters looking to layer their performances and keep things dynamically interesting.

4. Sharpen up your fingerpicking

I've always found that fingerpicking with a capo feels a bit more natural. Part of it comes down to your left hand; those shorter stretches make things easier. But it's also the tone: putting a capo higher up the neck brings out extra treble and attack, which gives your fingerpicked parts a sweeter, more defined sound.

For beginners, especially, this can be a real confidence boost. A capo helps you lock into patterns more comfortably while also opening the door to new textures and tones. It’s a simple way to make fingerpicking more enjoyable while sharpening your skills at the same time.

5. Use a capo as onboard storage

Okay, hear me out, this one is a little tongue-in-cheek, but it really works. Some guitarists have been known to use their capo as a bit of live “onboard storage.” Take something like the Kyser x Fender capo: that scroll-style trigger makes the perfect perch for a slide when you’re not using it. No need to risk dropping it on the floor (or worse, stepping on it mid-gig), just stick it on the trigger and carry on.

And it's not just slides. D’Addario even makes a capo with a built-in pick holder, which makes me think other players have had the same bright idea. Practical? Absolutely. Glamorous? Maybe not. But hey, sometimes it's the little hacks that save the day on stage.

My capo recommendations