When I was starting out learning to play guitar, I did not own a capo. I never felt like I needed one, either. After all, I had never seen Chet Atkins use one (didn't look that hard for it, granted)! I figured only the "best" guitarists shunned such useless props.
But then I discovered the Key of B. That's right. That key which wouldn't sound right without a capo on the fourth fret. It has that sound that is guaranteed to put hair on your chest. That robust, crisp, resonate, powerful, driving, mash-y sound of that fourth fret Key of B inspired me to man up and use a capo. My early days of picking rarely saw the key of B, but after listening to the finest in Bluegrass, I couldn't imagine my music career apart from it!
The giants of bluegrass such as Terry Baucom, Tony Rice, JD Crowe, Doyle Lawson, even Mr. Monroe himself use this magnificent capo position to achieve nothing but that rugged bluegrass sound.
If you're planning to pick some bluegrass this week, do it the right way -- the MANLY way! Key of B; Bring it on, Son!
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