period guitar capo?

[Danny]

See attached photo of spring-loaded capo associated with 1856 pattern Tilton guitar. No claims that the capo is 1856 vintage (the plectrum next to it most likely not), but if provenance were verified, how hard for a machinist type here to make a reproduction of this type?

Dan Wykes

[Jubilo]

Re: period guitar capo?

Dear Daniel of the Lion's Den,
I have read but not researched that Spanish guitarist have for centuries used a primitive capo. For all we know a plectrum, while not common could have also been employed. Not applicable to "Living Historians," of course but just the human experience.
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Danny]

Re: period guitar capo?

...For all we know a plectrum, while not common could have also been employed. Not applicable to "Living Historians," of course but just the human experience... David Corbett

Dave - Thankfully use of capos is documented, for we of limited singing range and wanting to play in keys others are using on the fly.

But plectrum, by all we do know so far, must remain wishful speculation. I realize you and I, Dave, employ plectrum for those pieces we have not yet developed a finger-style replacement for. For we are, as you say, only human. For me it was hard enough ditching metal string sets.

May we yet find a reliable period account of guitar plectrum use, and lunch paid for the one that finds it. In the interim, Carl mentioned an offer to make the finger-style transition easier; transcribed tab of the technique of period guitar tutors by a certain accomplished guitar musician and instructor forthcoming.

Dan Wykes
Fat Neck Mess

[toccoa42]

Re: period guitar capo?

In the interim, Carl mentioned an offer to make the finger-style transition easier; transcribed tab of the technique of period guitar tutors by a certain accomplished guitar musician and instructor forthcoming.

Danny --

Remember the link you posted sometime back about an antebellum guitar tutor?

http://www.archive.org/details/guitarwithoutmas00bost

Everything in this tutor addresses appropriate classical style, which has not changed in the last 200 years that I can see. The right hand fingering technique is simple, it just takes practice; the notation is explained clearly for those who don't read music, and again, it just takes practice. Once you have these two elements down (which will take only a few weeks for an experienced guitarist), you will be able to transcribe pretty much any song at least by ear into the proper period technique. It just takes time. And practice.

Most period sheet music for guitar that I have downloaded is pretty much for instrumental accompanyment (bass-2-3-4, bass-2-3-4, in 4/4 time) instead of solo playing. Nonetheless, there is nothing stopping you from transcribing a Bobby Horton rendition of, say, the South Carolina War Song, into the appropriate fingering, which he himself plays pretty much within the period constraints. Or any other song.

Time and practice, time and practice . . .

[Danny]

Re: period guitar capo?

Danny -- Remember the link you posted...an antebellum guitar tutor?...Everything in this tutor addresses appropriate classical style, which has not changed in the last 200 years that I can see...there is nothing stopping you from transcribing a Bobby Horton rendition...into the appropriate fingering, ...

Lynn -

I fully agree. I did post the tutor link because there is no better source in the study of period guitar technique. I merely wanted to give Mr. Corbett some slack in his suggestion that use of a plectrum isn't so incredibly out of the question either if you allow his 'human experience' logic -- I think he meant that it's human nature to try and use anything that works, then as now. A plectrum is, after all, an obvious tool.

I understand that use of a plectrum in our period of study is only speculation at the moment, but let's be honest and each of us admit to playing a period tune in plectrum style. It's a versatile, obvious technique. It's ok to anticipate that someone will find a documented use of plectrum for period guitar. No point in dying on that AC mountain.

On that other issue; for myself, I'm not comfortable with tab particularly. I prefer, like you, to have an original score in front of me while I play. But I think tab would be helpful for those accustomed to it. Helpful to have period tutor technique tabbed out. The tutors themselves can seem a bit cryptic at first, if one was not familiar with classical technique beforehand.

Dan Wykes
Fat Neck Mess

[David Swarens]

Re: period guitar capo?

Hello.

Thought this might be of interest.

http://web.telia.com/~u86505074/capomuseum/

This is an on line capo musuem, and does feature about every sort I have run into in my own travels, with good clear photos, and a goodly amount of documentation.

A great site!
I might use a salt shaker (full of grains of salt) when looking at some specific earlier date attributions (though they certainly could be correct), but there are capos which are certainly much earlier, and which would probably be even easier to reproduce (by a machinist, at least).

Many capos have patents, and there are a lot of "new" patterns in the 1880's and '90's.

I have one in the style of the one pictured, but with a very heavy cast brass frame with traces of nickle plate, marked PAT'D MAY 7. 89, as well as two of similar built up construction, as in the picture, with a nice polished nickle finish, marked the same.

Without the Patent stamp, and of slightly less substance, and of later make but quite similar appearance, they are quite available, should one go looking.

They do, though, post date the Civil War period.

The Spanish style, with a violin type peg in the top and a gut string which wraps around the neck would probably be worth looking for early documentation of, and these are still made, and used by some flamenco guitarists.

I once saw a 19th century version (with a late century Martin guitar) with engraved pearl inlay, like shows up on some violin fittings, especially tailpieces. But with the fancy trim/ inlay and engraving,probably later than the ACW.

I would bet these show up very early in time too!

And they work good, are around to purchase, and are "traditional."

Yours,
David Swarens

[David Swarens]

Re: period guitar capo?

I looked back more closely, and the one in the photo looks like it is the early cast version of this patent, like the one I described, but still 1889.

Nice early capo though!

Yours,
David Swarens

[David Swarens]

Re: period guitar capo?

Hello, yet again.

The capo website is really great! I looked back at it, too, and it does show a very early cejilla, the "Spanish" style capo, French, 1830's, from James Westbrook's collection.
(His books on the history of guitar i the 19th century are great too, and show some period cases and accessories, as well as instruments).

http://web.telia.com/~u86505074/capomuseum/Strap/Nonelastic/nonelast.htm

Even lists one supplier, for around $40.00, but search "Cejilla" for others.

I do hope others enjoy this site as much as I do; it presents a nice large group of capos, historic and not.

I hardly ever use these beasts, but do enjoy the old ones!

Thanks for bringing up the subject!

Yours,
Again,
David Swarens