Ever capo a bass

mlz77096 · #1 02-06-2013, 12:02 PM

I'm playing in a group where the fiddlers have decided to do a tune in Eb. The guitar and banjo will capo. I have the chords in D. I can retune, but is there such a thing as a capo for the upright bass? Anyone ever tried it?

Jeremy Darrow · #2 02-06-2013, 03:17 PM

I student once brought a homemade capo to a workshop that I was teaching. It was kind of a joke, but he insisted on showing us that it actually worked. I did not let him use it during the workshop.

No capos, the fiddles are playing it open, in standard tuning, and you can too with just a bit of practice.

bejoyous · #3 02-06-2013, 06:34 PM

Try using the index finger capo. It works really great.

gprigge · #4 02-06-2013, 08:18 PM

Maybe I'm out of my league here, or don't understand the question....I play with a few groups with singers, and key changes are common. If the key is changed, I have to figure out the new chords as I go. Luckily, we play mostly I IV V tunes so transposing the simple stuff isn't too tough.
In the posted example, it's D to Eb, or up a half-step, so all the notes I'd play go up a half step. (Some key changes tie my brain into a knot.)

I've heard of bass capos, but never seen one. Same for unicorns.

Jake deVilliers · #5 02-06-2013, 08:40 PM

No capo for DB - or mandolin, for that matter! Eb is a pretty good key on DB anyway; having stumpy fingers, I find the lower flat keys (F, Bb, Eb) easier than the sharp keys. First position is your friend.

neddyrow · #6 02-07-2013, 08:24 AM

Bass capo!!! Ha!! we joke about this all the time. i wish i could make the sound i do when i mimic what it would be like to put a giant capo on a double bass! so funny. i will say that playing different notes in different keys like Eb allows you to add a different "color" to the normal sounds when usually playing in G, A, B C and D. it's almost like you are playing a different instrument. embrace the opportunity!

mlz77096 · #7 02-07-2013, 11:43 AM

Of course the best thing would be to reposition my fingers and I have thought of that. I'm just not that good yet and retuning lets me use the D chords I already know. However, no one expect a bass to retune and I'll work on the other. I realized last night, you can't capo a bass anyway, I don't think. There's no fret to act as the nut.

Jason Sypher · #8 02-07-2013, 11:47 AM

Remember when you said "I don't need lessons because all I ever want to play is bluegrass"?. Well, not you perhaps, but we hear it all the time. Capo for the bass as a serious question on a bass forum, I see this as a sign. It's time to stop looking for easy ways out and start learning to play the bass. Half position is the first place to start. Get a teacher and begin the journey. You likely have the skills, just lack the knowledge. Good luck.

speedster · #9 02-07-2013, 03:03 PM

I know a retired school teacher who built one out of vice grips, I giggled the first time I seen him playing his old Kay in a jam. Asked him why and he said "at my age I dang well deserve to use it" He went on to say he got tired of figuring out all the changes in these new tunes played at jams and can now just follow the guitar player without any real work. He could play without it but chose to use it and still does today some 25 yrs later.

We went on to become good friends and he makes the best maple syrup.....

so its been done but really why ?

speedster · #10 02-07-2013, 03:04 PM

Oh and you really need to make yourself a circle of fifths wheel to learn all the chords in every key....

Really not hard work once you understand it all......

mlz77096 · #11 02-07-2013, 04:50 PM

I have a teacher and know about circle of 5ths, but not all the chords in every key. That would take me some thinking.. I've just never played outside D,G,A,C,F. I knew how I could do the Eb, but with a new idea and a tune I never heard before and not even a week to learn it, I guess retuning is the easy way out for the time being. I am going to look at how hard it would be just to shift the positions on the bass properly tuned.

I'm not one who said I don't need lessons. I was thrilled to find a teacher in my area.

Eric Hochberg · #12 02-07-2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlz77096

I am going to look at how hard it would be just to shift the positions on the bass properly tuned.

That is some correct thinking. Phew!

damonsmith · #13 02-08-2013, 07:51 AM

I see you are in Houston, you can PM for some lessons if you want!

Sayclean · #14 02-08-2013, 08:03 AM

Why would you need a capo?... in Nashville we use the number system and it doesn't matter what key you play in ... as long as you know what key the tune is in..Just move up the neck like a "sliding scale" and play triads ...major, minors, dim... if you know the neck, it shouldn't matter what key you are playing in ... just my thoughts...

Anonymatt · #15 02-08-2013, 08:06 AM

This is my first post in Bluegrass, just please give Damon a call, godammit.

elbeau · #16 02-08-2013, 08:14 AM

I use one for a celtic band I sit in with. Out of the bands, there's only 1 chick singer so everything is a key or 2 higher. Instead of transposing on the fly or having 2 different song books, I use the capo to trick me and just play my G where a normal A would be. Works like a charm for me.

longfinger · #17 02-08-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

Try using the index finger capo. It works really great.

The index finger capo really does works great, once you figure out the whole "half-position" skill set. It's free too! Well, besides the whole "practicing" thing...

As a curiosity though, I did a google search and saw this...

http://www.sternercapo.se/Capomuseum...s/Basscapo.htm

RustyAxe · #18 02-12-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlz77096

I'm playing in a group where the fiddlers have decided to do a tune in Eb. The guitar and banjo will capo. I have the chords in D. I can retune, but is there such a thing as a capo for the upright bass? Anyone ever tried it?

I hate playing in Eb! But capo, no. Why not either drop it to D or raise it E? Don't retune ... just bite the bullet and play it in Eb ... either in the half position on the D string, or higher on the A string.

mlz77096 · #19 02-12-2013, 02:20 PM

The end of this story is everyone did whatever to their instrument to play in Eb. I retuned, there just wasn't time for me to learn the new finger positions, and I had the D chord chart. Nicely said, the tune sounded not good. The consensus is we'll play it in D.

longfinger · #20 02-12-2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlz77096

The end of this story is everyone did whatever to their instrument to play in Eb. I retuned, there just wasn't time for me to learn the new finger positions, and I had the D chord chart. Nicely said, the tune sounded not good. The consensus is we'll play it in D.

Ha Ha!

Nice update.