Songs That Showcase Capos

Q. Can you think of popular songs that showcase the aesthetic benefits of using a capo?
A. It’s exciting for budding guitarists to incorporate new techniques and accessories – especially when it’s something they see their musical heroes using. One of these is the capo. (And if you want to make a little introduction, here’s a great video that students can watch as well:
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You can take your class through the many reasons a guitarist might use a capo, from simplifying chords to making a quick key change. If you’ve got the time and your student’s full attention, you can go way back to the capo’s Italian roots: http://www.theguitarcapo.com/. But the absolute best way to learn about the capo is to see it in action and put it use yourself.

There are many songs that showcase the capo nicely. You can pick a healthy variety of music styles to give students a glimpse of the possibilities. Here 7 popular songs that are typically played with a capo:

“Hotel California”, Eagles
“Free Fallin’”, Tom Petty
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“Hey There Delilah”, Plain White Ts
“Kiss Me”, Sixpence, None the Richer
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“Friends in Low Places”, Garth Brooks
“Ends”, Everlast
“Under the Bridge”, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Take a look, a listen, and get your students playing some of these songs with a class capo!

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