Id really like to try and play Magnolia Wind (the John Prine and Emmylou Harris version).
I have found this tab/chord guide:
But what i dont understand is that the song without capo is in D, with capo on 1 it is in Eb. However to play the version i want they say i need Db. Normally i would think that meant move the capo down one, but it is D with no capo so then i would be putting the capo where i dont have any strings?!
Honestly im just a little confused how to get Db when its in D without a capo.
You could opt not to use a capo and simply detune your entire guitar down one semitone, to E flat. Then, when you play a D-shape chord, it is actually Db. And so on for all chords.
Alternatively you would need to play the given chords using different shapes.
Knowledge of theory and CAGED shapes is useful here. It is worth learning from Justin’s practical music theory course to understand this better. Check it out here. The first two modules are free to access. https://www.justinguitar.com/store/practical-music-theory
Capo fret 4
The given chord shapes are D, A, G, and C respectively. They all need to be named as chords one semitone lower.
D → Db
A → Ab
G → Gb
C → B
Now, with capo at fret 4 …
Db = A-shape
Ab = E-shape
Gb = D-shape
B = G-shape
Richard is right, of course; another simple solution would be placing the capo just as you intended, on the 1st fret, and play the chords in C; you’ll then get the key of C# which is equivalent to Db.