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DictionarycapoPitch-raising clamp
noun

capo

KAH-poh/kˈɑpoʊ/

A clamp placed across the strings of a guitar or similar instrument to raise their pitch.

A capo clamps all six guitar strings just behind the third fret.

Close-up of a spring-loaded capo clamped across all six strings of an acoustic guitar just behind the third fret, clearly showing how its padded bar shortens the vibrating string length.
Etymology
capoItalianhead

Italian capo means “head,” but the instrument name shortens capo tasto, literally “head stop.” That fuller expression supplies the stopping image behind the pitch-altering clamp.

In context

Jeff Starr's Not Bad: Films11:56
even another dimension to it that that some harmoniums and not the Kyon harmoniums but those come with what's called a scale changer and a scale changer is like the Capo on a guitar
5 things to know about Harmonium | Interviewing Mike Cohen from Kirtan Leader

More examples

  • She uses a capo to match the song to her voice.
  • Moving the capo up one fret raises the pitch another half step.
  • This capo fits both my acoustic and electric guitars.

Forms

capo · capos