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Music

Hand Chord lets you cheat on your bar chords and riffs

Most guitarists will admit that learning to play bar chords is one of the more difficult aspects of learning to play the guitar. However, many musicians will endure the practice and pain of learning to play them correctly because bar chords offer a fuller and richer sound than their alternatives.

Hand Chord is a noteworthy new product that offers guitarists an alternative way to play otherwise challenging bar chords. While the product is touted as being ideal for beginners insofar as it makes chords easier to play and reduces finger pain, Hand Chord may be better suited for professional musicians interested in using it for specific songs in their set.

That said, shortcuts are never ideal for anyone aspiring to become a professional or even seasoned musician. While shortcuts may suffice for hobbyists, they won’t help hone one’s ability to jam with other musicians. Musicians who enjoy new gadgets might also like to check out Capo Clips and Wallet Capo. This campaign seeks to raise $9,500 by April 30. Backers get one product for $35 with an expected delivery of June 2015.

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Music

Wallet Capo lets guitarists keep capo as close as cash

Being on stage and suddenly realizing that one’s capo got left in the guitar case puts a pretty awkward pause in the flow of a music set, challenging the lead singer to come up with some quick verbal improvisation that’s not necessarily clever.

Since a forgotten capo can be a real pain in the butt, Wallet Capo allows guitarists the benefit of always having a capo, um, somewhere convenient. It’s 3mm thick and is touted as being compatible with nearly any guitar neck, while also improving tone over the average capo out there. The product appears to be made of plastic with rubber fittings that go over the strings and against the back of the guitar neck.

While Wallet Capo is certainly convenient, it’s unclear whether or not the product itself is truly any better than the average capo out there. Interested backers might also like to check out Capo Clips. This product seeks to raise $5,000. For $10, backers get one capo with an expected delivery of March 2015.

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Music

Capo Clips make open strings ring without the hassle of tuning

One of the more difficult things to work around when chording on a guitar is those open strings. Excluding them makes for less dissonance, but it also thins the sound. Capo Clips allows the musician to cheat and use open strings for a fuller chord sound without having to retune their guitar.  The product is an alternative type of capo that clips directly over the fret (as opposed to in between) and spans two or more in spacing to create a more melodic and fuller sound. A Capo Clip is also capable of giving the guitar a more full sound even when no chord is being played, depending on which Capo Clip is being used and the placement choice on the guitar neck. The moveable rubber fretters allow for many different chords from each Capo Clip.

While the product is touted as suitable for anyone from beginner to pro, beginners may want to focus more on learning chords and proper technique than on finding ways to cheat. This campaign seeks to raise $2,500 on Kickstarter. Backers get one Capo Clip for $7 with an expected delivery in January 2015.