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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 11:35:06

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

while using a capo makes some stretches "easier" in lower positions, it actually makes some things really hard to play because you are forced into higher positions.

The opening falseta of PDL's "Tientos del Mentidero" requires half bars at the 10th fret and full bar at the 8th fret. With the capo on the 3rd fret that means you have to play bars the 13th fret and full bar at the 11th fret!

opening falsetas of Solea "Cuando Canta el Gallo" also requires bars at high positions. I think on the recording capo is on 1, but on Rito vid he plays some of those things with capo on 2.

and I think parts of Aires Choqueros also requires bars at high positions

and probably loads of other stuff I have forgotten or not studied yet.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 12:22:16

Piwin

Posts: 3561
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

I use the capo sparingly. Mainly for accompaniment, when the singer asks for one.
My only rule is to never use one while doing exercises.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 14:20:06

Ricardo

Posts: 14818
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Staghound

Seems that almost all guitar masters use a capo,If only on the first fret. Paco de lucia , Paco Pena, Vicente, etc. Juan serrano usually plays solo without one. A capo certainly makes the guitar easier to play than the open position, thus helping stretch and speed,SO how many guitarists are addicted to using a capo( when not using it to accompany a singer) . Sensible answers, and not a specific number would be appreciated.

I dont' feel it helps much at all with playing easier. The main reason is because the flamenco players normally think of functioning falsetas in accompanying contexts. The secondary reason is simply the sound of the guitar, it brighten things up to move higher, lower position is darker. I have used capo position in live setting to avoid feedback issues with the full band (for instrumental tunes). The absolute last reason to use it would be ease of play. Probably you need to check your guitar's set up if you find capo 1 orders of magnitude better feeling than open. High nut, high bone, bent neck etc can all be culprits.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 18:05:17

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 19:18:43

Aretium

Posts: 277
Joined: Oct. 23 2012

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

It brightens as Ricardo said but it also reduces the sustain, so the "open" chords sound more flamenco in a way. I dislike capos for practice and solo as it reduces the space, increases tension

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 20:55:37

Paul Magnussen

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 8 2010
From: London (living in the Bay Area)

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

Juan serrano usually plays solo without one.

Mario Escudero, too — he sometimes got quite agitated about it.

“Capo at 7th fret — ‘Oh, that is very flamenco!’ they say. Why??!!”

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 25 2016 21:26:20

rombsix

Posts: 7813
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Capo (in reply to Paul Magnussen)

Get a cutaway guitar to help with the higher-up capo positions.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 0:37:56

Piwin

Posts: 3561
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Capo (in reply to rombsix)

Cheater!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 1:49:25

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

i like to practice without a capo. mostly cuz im too lazy to pick one up. but i always perform with one on. it just makes everything sound more bright and audible, especially in places where the room is very bassy or there's a lot of bodies soaking up all the highs.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:00:30

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

Juan serrano usually plays solo without one.

Just curious how often you have seen Juan Serrano play solo without a capo?
I mean how many shows?
Does he still play live shows, or have you seen him live in the past?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:08:44

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

Paco Pena doesn't use a capo?

It seems use of a capo is traditional in flamenco. I prefer the sound without one and like somebody else I am too lazy to find it and put it on. If a specific song calls for one I will try to use it, mostly on the first or second fret.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:28:32

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:36:44

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Capo (in reply to Cervantes)

quote:

Paco Pena doesn't use a capo?

I think he said Paco Peña does use one, but Juan Serrano doesn't....

I usually practise without one, too lazy etc., but usually play with one, sound feel and 'cos I'm a hopelessly addicted cheater!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:38:34

Ricardo

Posts: 14818
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

I totally forgot to add that the traditional style capo, IMO, is like jewelry for the guitar. So having it at least on the first fret just looks cool to me. If it's an ugly Dunlop or shub than who cares really? I can't imagine PDL playing that gorgeous Rondeña solo without one. By the way, Nuñez very often doesn't use the cejilla unless it's necessary, with the exception when he is playing por medio (a comparatively rare thing for him).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:45:00

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Capo (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

I totally forgot to add that the traditional style capo, IMO, is like jewelry for the guitar.

Guijazzle?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 16:50:28

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

Paco Pena doesn't use a capo?

I don't know what his habits are but in that picture he's clearly accompanying.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 18:31:55

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 18:43:46

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

I totally forgot to add that the traditional style capo, IMO, is like jewelry for the guitar.

i've lost so many capos.

so it's the cheap dunlop ones for me. RIP bling.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 19:52:46

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

Numerous Juan Serrano videos on youtube.

doesn't mean he doesn't or hasn't used a capo.
When he was living in Spain and accompanying singers he will have used a capo.
I don't think it's not that much of a big deal whether you use a capo or not, especially if you aren't accompanying a singer, it's just a personal choice.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2016 19:55:04

Ricardo

Posts: 14818
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Staghound

Numerous Juan Serrano videos on youtube. Not a capo in sight. I have seen Paco Pena live ,a few times. He played almost entire concert with capo on first fret. I have only seen him playing solo,not with his group of singers and dancers where he takes more of a back seat.

Yep. And one guitar sounds bright and clean, the other like mud.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2016 3:52:03

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

I had the pleasure of seeing the great Sabicas in concert long ago, he also used a capo during his performance
at times, he was a master at using his.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 30 2016 22:32:30

RobJe

Posts: 731
Joined: Dec. 16 2006
From: UK

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

A real flamenco guitar has to work well with capo almost anywhere. Try this on your guitar.

Rob

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 10:10:42

Echi

Posts: 1132
Joined: Jan. 11 2013

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

That's a Manuel Reyes.
In my experience the flamenco guitars from Andalusia are more fit for such a playing as they generally have a pulsacion media or baja, with a very flexible top, able to offer you more modulation with a capo beyond the 5th fret.
The Madrid kind of guitar have usually a thicker, less sharp note on the highest positions.
IMHO if your guitar plays well with the capo on the 5th or 6th fret, it's already good for the most you have to do. If your singer often requests such a playing better to have a guitar fit for the purpose.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 12:34:21

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 13:47:47

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

quote:

I either play open or with a capo never higher than the second fret

That's a bizarre rule to make for yourself..........
And if a singer is singing solea in the key of G#??

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 15:48:08

Guest

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 18:47:34

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Capo (in reply to Guest)

Oh, as it's a flamenco forum I assumed singing and dancing was involved.....

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 20:10:05

Morante

Posts: 2180
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: Capo (in reply to Leñador)

quote:

Oh, as it's a flamenco forum I assumed singing and dancing was involved.....

Don´t worry. This is not a flamenco forum. It might be a flamenco guitar forum, tal vez

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 21:19:35

Piwin

Posts: 3561
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Capo (in reply to Morante)

Sound of a pinched rubber balloon deflating...

You're fine Staghound. To each his own.
I don't know of any "rules" for using the capo if you're playing solo. I think it's just "functional". Ricardo summed it up nicely in his first post.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 2 2016 23:07:30