When you guys capo up to play in a different key on your banjo, do you have to do a lot of retuning? What about when you spike the fifth string?
I have a Paige and a Shubb capo, both adjustable. I have found that if I just gently turn the knob until the fret stops buzzing, I don’t have to re-tune as much, but I am still always sharp. Just wanted to see if this was the way it is for everybody.
I find that my main capo doesn’t typically require much (if any) re-tuning putting it on or off (as you said, just enough tension helps a bunch). Another thing I have found is that often if a string is off one way or another with the capo, it can be because the capo is pulling the string towards or away from the bridge. Simply loosening the capo and carefully re-setting it eliminates the issue.
With that said, my spikes pull a note way sharp. I haven’t figured a way around that other than re-tuning.
Just remember… when you capo, you are increasing the tension on the string, similarly to what a bend does. So, in most cases you will be a little sharp when you capo or spike your string.
There’ll always be some tuning with a capo. I put it perfectly straight and right below the fret for the least tuning. Make it snug enough to get the best sound and no buzzing but don’t go overboard. For me the Elliott requires much less tuning than any other capo
Hi @Shad I guess you haven’t been playing banjo long enough to know many banjo jokes.
To answer both these questions - Yes all the time. Maybe less so on my Stelling.
Yes, even Earl had to deal with this. Watch this vid: https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/banjo-setup-with-steve-huber-capo-placement-banjo
And this one: https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/banjo-capo-strategy-banjo
Any beginner tricks for tweaking the tuning when you can’t hear on stage (ie the band moves to the next number) and it’s not appropriate to have big tuning gaps between songs? I have a decent tuner (TC Electronic POLYTUNE CLIP Clip-On)
This is something that you definitely get better at. Capoing and having the best tuning possible afterwards is a skill that grows. I will usually turn away from the mics if I need to do some tweaking to the tuning. I don’t know if that answers your question. If in scenarios where I can’t hear, that is really tough, and yes I’ll rely on a tuner I can see.
Sounds good, thank you. I think a lot of it is needing to learn to trust my tuner without the ear! Do you actually retune the capoed strings, too, or just get good at learning to place the capo where it affects them the least?
I typically don’t have to retune the capoed strings. Sometimes, though, I do. I always check them either way. Over time, you get to the point that you can just simply strum through the strings and be able to tell if one is off. That’s what I always do. If one’s off, I’ll tune it.
I don’t get to play on stage much but I use my ears and a Snark tuner constantly.
Usually you have to retune them a little bit. Check out this lesson!
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/banjo-setup-with-steve-huber-capo-placement-banjo
Thank you guys!