As a beginner, do i need a capo?

Question:also, recommend any song thatd be easy to play. something soft rock, like "the scientist" or "collide"

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: also, recommend any song thatd be easy to play. something soft rock, like "the scientist" or "collide"

I would say yes, but not because you're a beginner.

As a beginner, having a capo can make it easier to play songs that have bridged chords in them. For example, instead of playing F with your first finger across the 1st fret, just stick a capo on the 1st fret and play E as normal. Nonetheless, you need to remember that in order to improve as a guitarist, you need to pass milestones such as bridged chords. Be sure to keep practising them rather than relying on using a capo all the time.

However, there are many songs out there that require a capo, not necessarily to make the song easier to play, but to make the song sound right. There are often two or more ways to play the exact same chord (I don't mean diminished chords or anything like that), but you may need to choose one over the over depending on the song.

If you're going to invest in a capo, don't get a cheap plastic one. I use the metal ones made by Shubb, as they're durable, easy to fit on the neck of the guitar, and apply even pressure all across the fret. They're roughly between ￡10-15 which may seem expensive, but in the long run I'm sure you'll be happy with it. See my 2nd source for a link with pictures to show what I mean.

As for songs to recommend, may I suggest Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and, a song that's normally played by beginners, Wonderwall by Oasis (Which uses a capo on the 2nd fret).

Hope this helps.

I would advise you not to get a capo, only because I think they're for wusses. Real players learn to play barre chords.

However, if you plan to learn lots of complicated fingerstyle things then a capo is probably essential. And the late great blues guitarist Albert Collins built a whole style out of using one. Still, you should learn to barre with your index finger.

Nothing Radiohead did is all that easy to play. Except 'Creep', which is a terrible song.

Only if you're going to sing - the capo will adjust the key of the song to fit your voice.

Do NOT get a capo.....learn to play bar chords.

Not unless your going to be singing and can't play songs in your singing voice key.....another reason to own a capo is to be able to play with some songs....example there's a girl on youtube who plays Greens Days, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, if you want to play along with her you'd have to have a capo because she has one on. Also some Cd's have musicians who have them on when their playing and for beginners it's hard to figure out how to transpose from capo to open.....so don't really worry about a capo unless the above applies to you !!!!!!!!

Its important to learn barre chords, but there's nothing wrong with using a capo either. Chords that use open strings, like the first position G, C or D, for example, ring out with a certain sound that barre chords just don't have. If you work out an arrangement for a song in a particular key using open strings and chords using open strings, and have to change the key to suit the singer's voice, it may be difficult or undesirable to re-arrange the song using barre chords -- even if you can physically play it, you won't get the same sound without those open string chord voicings. This is where a capo is absolutely indispensable.

So I say YES -- you need a capo.

A capo is ONLY needed if you learn a song in a different key from the CD and want to play with the CD or if you sing and can't sing in the key you learn it in.