capo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist (Music), Informal (Criminal slang)
Quick answer
What does “capo” mean?
A device placed across the strings of a fretted musical instrument (like a guitar or ukulele) to raise their pitch uniformly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device placed across the strings of a fretted musical instrument (like a guitar or ukulele) to raise their pitch uniformly.
1. (Historical/Criminal slang) The head of a crime family or a high-ranking member of a criminal organization, especially in the Mafia. 2. (Historical) A short form of 'capotasto', the Italian term for the device.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the core musical meaning. The Mafia term is more prevalent in American media and discourse due to the prominence of Italian-American organized crime narratives.
Connotations
In both varieties, the musical 'capo' is neutral. The criminal 'capo' carries strong connotations of organized crime, violence, and authority within that context.
Frequency
The musical term is of medium frequency among musicians. The criminal term is low frequency, appearing mainly in crime fiction, film, and journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “capo” in a Sentence
[Subject] + put/place/clamp + a capo + on + [fret number][Subject] + play + [song] + with + a capo + on + [fret number]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to capo up for this song; it's too low for my voice.
- He capoed at the fifth fret to match the recording.
American English
- Just capo the second fret and play a G chord shape.
- She capoed up to make the chords easier to sing over.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival use.
American English
- No standard adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology or historical studies of organized crime.
Everyday
Used by musicians; the criminal sense is used in discussions of films/books about the Mafia.
Technical
A standard term in guitar/music tutorials, gear reviews, and luthiery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “capo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “capo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capo”
- Misspelling as 'capoe' or 'cappo'.
- Pronouncing it /ˈkeɪpəʊ/ (like 'cape').
- Using the criminal sense in a non-figurative way (e.g., for a business manager).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both the musical and criminal terms are pronounced identically: /ˈkæpəʊ/ (UK) or /ˈkæpoʊ/ (US).
No. Using 'capo' to mean a boss outside the specific context of Italian or Italian-American organized crime sounds unnatural and is likely a misuse. Use 'boss', 'head', or 'chief' instead.
No, but it is an extremely common accessory, especially among acoustic guitarists, folk singers, and songwriters who need to change keys quickly to suit their vocal range.
A capo changes the pitch of the open strings without altering the fingerings of chords. Tuning the entire guitar up would require re-learning all chord shapes for that new tuning and puts excessive tension on the strings and neck.
A device placed across the strings of a fretted musical instrument (like a guitar or ukulele) to raise their pitch uniformly.
Capo is usually specialist (music), informal (criminal slang) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly with 'capo'. Related: 'Under the capo' (criminal sense, meaning under a specific boss's command).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAP' the fretboard with a 'CAPO' to change the pitch. Or, a crime CAPO wears a CAP (as the head/boss).
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS UP / CONTROL IS A CLAMP (criminal sense: the boss is the 'head'). The musical device metaphorically 'clamps' control over the open strings.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts would the word 'capo' most likely refer to a person?