At the risk of sounding overly diplomatic, EITHER IS CORRECT. Or if you prefer, neither is incorrect.

From my observation, the two camps run nearly 50-50, with perhaps a slight edge going to the bass side, or "from above" users (pictured left). This preference might be because it favors certain first position chords (B7, for instance). Some people might believe that the capo provides more pressure from the side of the bar nearer the hinge, but this is not really the case.

In our current catalogue it is pictured as being applied from the bass side ...although not necessarily to suggest that that is the right way to apply the capo. It just happened to be a good picture.

Personally, I have always used it from below, or the treble side, which feels more natural to me.

Other aspects of capo placement are far more important than the direction (from above or below), such as:

• the amount of pressure (just enough, not too much)
• the proximity to the fret (just behind, as you would place your finger)
• and the direct application onto the strings, not pushing or pulling them to one side.

...Rick Shubb

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