I suspect personal preference more than anything. The shape of the I chord is the only difference and their positions on the neck. The IVth and Vth chord are going to use the F shape in both choices. Of course, you can move wherever you want on the neck as you play.

Bobby

quote:

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Originally posted by lestermatt

Typically I play in C in open G tuning but many people play in C out of a D shape capoed at the second fret. Why is this? What’s the advantage?

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Am I reading this right?

G tuning, Capo 2 and then a D shape?

On my banjo, that would be an E major sound....

With an added 5th string spiked at the 9th fret,  this is how I'd generally play in E...

Do you perhaps mean to be asking about playing in D?

In G tuning that's something you can do without capo and take advantage of the open fourth string  for a nice sounding low D note. H as the 4 chord gives you all your standard G stuff. But A as a closed position 5 chord and even D as the 1 require some skill.

With capo at 2, you can play in D as if in C. It uses all the C and G stuff you know from key of G. Yes, the F chord for 4 is closed position, but I find it really easy to roll on and turn into licks.

When I want to play fast bluegrass in D, I'll choose to capo at 2. For moderate tempos and interesting melodies I'll try D without capo. I need the practice.

I play in the key of C using standard C (aka Drop C) tuning. I play in D by simply capoing up 2 frets in that tuning. Key of C and C tuning are two different deals. Note that classic-style fingerpickers play in all keys out of standard C tuning with no capo in sight.

quote:

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Originally posted by lestermatt

Typically I play in C in open G tuning but many people play in C capoed at the second fret. Why is this? What’s the advantage?

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If you are playing tunes in C in Standard G Tuning and play the same tunes capo'd up two frets you are playing in key of D.  This is a common practice with banjo players as it allows them to use all the chord shapes and fancy C licks they know in the key of D. It also allows them to accompany fiddle players who much prefer to play tunes in the key of  D.

If you capo up to the 5th fret and match your 5th string with a spike and play all your chord shapes and fancy G licks at the 5th fret you are playing in the Key of C.  

If you would care to sign up for a FREE Silver Pick Membership at Banjo Ben you could access this full lesson on Capo Stratagy and gain a better understanding of how a capo works and why as banjo player we use it.

quote:

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Originally posted by lestermatt

 Oh my I got it all wrong! I meant capo 2 to play in D instead of open ?? duh ?? 

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Good to know.

As the originator of this thread, you can edit the subject line and your opening post.

You might also check out this thread about playing in D. Go here: banjohangout.org/topic/406749

It usually depends on the song but the obvious choices are:

Open G tuning
Open G spike at 7th
Open G capo 2nd, spike at 7th
Open G capo at 7th, spike at 10th
D-tuning
Drop C tuning, capo at 2nd, spike at 7th

seanray Not to upstage you, Sean,, but in your 4th entry you likely mean spike at 12th. ??  (to make it clear for new players)

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Originally posted by chuckv97

seanray Not to upstage you, Sean,, but in your 4th entry you likely mean spike at 12th. ??  (to make it clear for new players)

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Good eye,

Yes indeed, I meant 12th fret.

Thanks!

I had a spike at 12 when my banjo was made in 1973. I understood Doug Dillard capoed at 7 to play in D. I never did, so I removed it after not too many years.

Every now and then I miss being able to use those bluegrassy G licks for the 1 chord in D, but the sound way up there doesn't do it for me. So I don't miss it much.