Welcome to the SpiderCapo Blog Page where you can follow and
find the latest and greatest about the SpiderCapo - the worlds' first full OR
partial capo that allows you to apply the capo to each individual string. Add us to your favorite RSS feed reader now! SpiderCapo - just for the "regular ol' guitar" either: the SpiderCapo comes in a
great many varieties for various string instruments as well as custom versions
for the musicians who play non-standard instruments. The SpiderCapo has been
dubbed "The Ultimate Alternative Tuning Capo". The SpiderCapo is not
only fantastic for going from standard tuning to open tuning, but vice-versa as
well.
We are all familiar with the standard capo, some of us
familiar with the partial capos that will capo just the first or last three
frets for example, but the SpiderCapo goes so far beyond the rest, it is in a
class of its own. Rightly so. Winner of many awards including "Best in
NAMM" twice, this amazing accessory should be a standard in every
guitarists arsenal of accessories:
http://spidercapo.com/spidercapo-in-the-news.html
So let us ask you a question: In a live show, would you
rather sit and retune your guitar or flip a few fingers on the SpiderCapo to tune
your guitar quickly and perfectly to be ready for the next song? The other
thing is that you don't have to use all 6 fingers on the SpiderCapo! Surprising,
we know, but when you unscrew the Spider's end completely, you can remove
fingers from it and leave as many or as little number of fingers on the device
as desired. In scouring the web, we find many use four fingers if not the
standard six. Some use more than one SpiderCapo on their guitar(s) while
playing or use the SpiderCapo in
combination with a "regular" or partial capo.
The SpiderCapo has also been a great use for those guitar
players that are missing digits on their playing hands. We must say we admire
your unwillingness to give up or give in because of your condition! In the
SpiderCapo forums discussions you can find topics dedicated to this
(forums.spidercapo.com under "Discussion"). It shows the player using
an open G. tuning (3, 3, 0, 0, 3, 3,) so the I, IV, and V chords ( G, C, D) can
be played without using the left hand at all! Next, all the diatonic chords in
the key of G. are demonstrated playing the song “Michael Rowed the Boat
Ashore”. The available chords are: G, A minor, B minor, C, D, E minor and
is F# 1/2 diminished.
These demonstration examples are given as a starting point for those guitar
players with only one or two fingers available on the hand that frets the
fingerboard. Of course, the possibilities are limitless. Non-diatonic chords,
and chromaticism can be introduced at any point. Any Spidercapo tuning can be
used.
We encourage you to visit our SpiderCapo Forums at http://forums.spidercapo.com/ to let us know how YOU use the SpiderCapo and the tunings that you have been able to create with it. We are in the process of updating our Tuning_Compendium with pictures and tablature to accompany each chapter. It will also cover standard tuning to open and vice-versa, so please come check it out.
You can also visit
Chordie’s chat corner at
the address below to chat with folks who are doing this. Say hi to
Gitaardocphil. Click below to see the chat…..
http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=14895
Partial capoing is very good for
getting new textures and new inspirations. Using partially capoed strings will
give you new ‘rubs’ of small intervals: like 2nds, that sound so good on a
guitar, and can inspire new songs. This is not to demean more traditional
musical tools. If you’ve listened to some of the more sophisticated pop tunes,
you’ll hear the beauty and power of transposing. [ex: the transition to the last chorus of ‘New York, New York’ ]
How can a
songwriter reap the benefits of open string rubs, AND, be able to move to
different key centers? Answer: the
partial capo!
We study the guitar to learn to play
in different keys so that we can transpose within a song. This is an example of
when the partial capo, as opposed to open tunings [actually turning the tuning
pegs of the instrument], pays off. The reason is that your study of the
instrument is not lost when you use a partial capo. This is because the
intervals between the strings has not been changed, so the formations,
chords, and voice leading techniques
you’ve acquired can still be used.
As a result, over
time:
1.You can build a
singular body of musical knowledge that is ever progressing, as opposed to
specific shapes that only work in a certain open tunings.
2. You can use many
different partial tunings without undo confusion-because the instrument remains
the same.
3. Because the
interval shapes on the guitar are consistent per tuning, you foster the ability to improvise -which is
the starting point of music composition and allows consistent transfer of
musical ideas from the ear....to the guitar.
Stay Tuned (ok, some pun intended) to our blog page for more
updates and special blogs about the great many uses for the SpiderCapo!
