problem w/ flamenco capo

[pmremes]

i bought a capo a while ago, and i really like playing with it for the most part, it makes flamenco music sound a little cooler for some reason, plus it's easier to play on closer together frets. but many times my guitar is way out of key when i put it on. i mean the guitar is tuned, then i put on the capo and i can't adjust the capo so that it is still tuned. the g string especially is usually almost a half step sharp, and if i slide the capo around so that g is tuned, the other strings are off.

can anyone tell me if these problems are normal? my strings are like 2 months old, but they seem in good shape it think. is the problem with the capo, my guitar, my strings, me perhaps? the capo was the one from this site. thanks for any help you can offer.

phil

[adrian]

Hello pmremes,

I'm no expert in this area, but I believe it is customary to tune your guitar AFTER you put on the capo. Make sure you locate it just behind the fret you want it to close off, and ensure it is secure.

Those who know more are welcome to correct me.

Adrián,
GSI

[pmremes]

yeah i don't know why i had thought that wouldn't work before. it is a little funny to tune with the capo on, but it sounds a lot better. thanks

phil

[keith]

try this:
1. tune before putting on capo/cejilla
2. put capo/cejilla placed on fretboard slightly behind the fret
3. make sure capo/cejilla is straight (often it looks straight from the playing position but is slanted)
4. make sure capo/cejilla is lightly but firmly clamped so as to be able to adjust the tuning
5. tighten down capo/cejilla if needed

2 items here: first, remember, flamenco music is a little more tolerant of minor out of tuning than is classical music (obviously up to a point). the second is the type of capo/cejilla. cejilla's tend to be stubborn but when they work they work reasonably well. many of the capos out there are too heavy or get in the way. by far, the jim dunlop capos (the ones with the nylon strap) work the best :D . they are light, do not get in the way, and they put firm pressure on the fretboard/the strings (yet do not mar the guitar). the type of capo you are using may be the culprit especially if the capo was designed for a steel string guitar which has a curved fretboard. if you go the jim dunlop way, get the one designed for a classical (and flamenco) fretboard.

[NGiorgio]

The Jim Dunlop capos work great. Don't look as cool as a cejilla but you have fewer problems. I seem to always have a problem with the G string and sometimes just pulling the G string up from the fretboard a bit can loosen it enough to lower the pitch. You use the thumb and index finger of thr right hand behind the sound hole, towards the bridge, and tug outward, away from the top. I have found that fret height and gauge of string have a lot to do with it as well. Lighter gauge strings seem to don't seem to go as sharp as a heavy gauge when using a cejilla or capo.

[pmremes]

cool, i've seen bad ass flamenco guys using those jim dunlop capos but i never knew who made them. seeing as how they are 5 dollars, and i'd like to look bad ass even if i can't quite play like it yet, i'll probably pick one up. thanks

phil