capo noises

[Barbara Richmond]

Paul Dempsey wrote:

Yes, grooved capo will cause a buzz, and that buzz can often be
eliminated by moving the string back and forth under the capo
bar thereby, I believe, burnishing the bar a little, removing the
bar a little, removing the little "hill" of iron that grew as
the little "valley" was worn in by the string.

Q:  Can one really burnish the capo with a string?  Does it
really work?  Does it do anything to the string?

I'm familiar with moving a string a bit when there's a buzz. I
thought I was just finding a new spot for it to rest--yes, yes,
one then has to deal with spacing and voicing.

Come to think of it, the only string moving I've done has been
in upright pianos--out in private citizens' living rooms.  I
guess I live a blessed life; all other buzzing problems I've
encountered at capos in grands have been solved by voicing.
It's a good thing my costumers don't want razor sharp tone.

Barbara Richmond
Illinois Wesleyan University
berich@heartland.bradley.edu