After getting set straight about the pros and cons of using a backing track on an open mic, I’ve decided to try an open mic here, where I can use backing tracks. Seemed like a great interim solotion!
Then I got to thinking, I’m just into my early training of voice lessons so I’m going to need to lower the key a bit - of course this is going to change things for me, which is my problem.
My heart of hearts wants to eventually perform cover songs of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s and try to get as close as possible to tribute sound.
Now it’s dawning in me how this is going to possibly look - me using a capo to play Eagles’ Already Gone or One of these Nights? How’s the capo going to fly with Johnny B. Goode or Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll song? I just can’t imagine throwing a capo on my electric and playing some of the Beatles higher energy songs…
So do I just forget the dream and pick songs in my range? Or do I continue hard at work, hoping I’ll hit 3 octaves in my voice lessons done day, and keep practicing the favorites? I’ve learned quite a few songs, but in the key they’re recorded.
I could for sure do a few acoustic songs where I use the capo and that would sound good Id think, but not so sure with the electric and heavier/beat/overdrive type stuff.
I’d like opinions of folks that perhaps have experience with playing in different keys and how it effects my practice/play style and quality of the original recording.
I’ve practiced so much and have quite a lot invested, I would hate to have to in a different direction or leave behind what I’ve built up.
Love your thoughts,
Joe
Absolutely no one will be concerned that you’re using a capo to move a song into your key. Most won’t even notice.
Wow, I had no idea! THAT’S REALLY ENCOURAGING!! It’s a good thing I learned the fretboard and all those pentatonic shapes and how to move the movable Major scale…
Obviously I won’t be able to play with the original recordings (unless I don’t sing, or want to just squeak), but will my above mentioned songs sound the same? Hate to have fruit thrown at me cause I played Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll 3 steps too high on the neck…
Absolutely pick songs in your range.
Who cares about the key they were recorded in? I certainly don’t and many others would not.
An easy test is if you just don’t have the volume you need on the lower notes. If so, move up the capo. Singing in a key that suits your vocal range is what matters most.
I guess you’re right. I just need to come to terms in my dream world that I need to narrow my selections. I’m 65, not getting any younger, wanna make my practice and future plans mean the most!
Joe, you absolutely must sing in the key(s) that suit your vocal range.
You give two contradictory statements which I find confusing.
The topic title mentions lowering the key.
Your second comment mentions raising the key of a Led Zep song.
ps
A capo can also be a tool by which you can sing in a lower register when you change the key.
Capo 7 frets (semitones) up is equivalent to singing 5 semitones down.
Don’t forget some progams such as Stage Traxx3 on the ipad not only play the backing track and show you the lyrics, it can alter the key of the backing track to suit the key you want to sing in. These programs are a godsend when you are performing live. They give you so many more options as to what you want to sing.
You dont necessarily need a capo to change the key of a song.
I’ve never had a need ( or a want) for one.
With the variety of voicings on a guitar for any given chord, the palette choice is substantial.
There are many ways to play a song, and plenty of of ways to change the key of a backing track.
Dont stress man; have fun and experiment.
Cheers, Shane
In my opinion, this is a big mistake 
Anyone who wants to listen to the original sound, can just click ‘play’ on their phone.
In fact, the closer you get, the more obvious it becomes that you are not achieving your goal.
Even if you were able to make something sound identical , there would be an air of ‘Look what I can do’ , rather than: ‘Hey, listen to this cool/funny/interesting thing’
I mentioned in your other thread that punters want to be entertained. I really love listening to a new song and suddenly realizing it’s a variation of a song I know! A good song will sound good over multiple genres/styles.
The other thing I find attractive at an OM is if the performer is relaxed, at ease with themselves and communicates well with the audience. This has nothing to do with technical skills and only comes with experience.
Even if you would like to end up one day playing ‘perfect’ versions of the songs of your youth, I’d start off with practicing and attending OMs with an acoustic or simple e-guitar setup, a mic, and if you really need it, a simple loop-based drum’n’bass backing.
Have you been to many live shows? Most gigs I’ve been to have guitarists who use a capo at some time during the performance.
If you’re worried about your image because you’re using a capo, I fear you might be in for a big shock when things really start to go pear-shaped (which they inevitably do at some stage)
Sorry if that doesn’t sound encouraging, but realistic goals and preparation are key to any successful performance.
Good luck, and keep us posted! 
I will disagree
We are all different with different tastes and our goals are different too !
If you have fun playing with a backing track and being close to the original , then just do it !
Do not try to please other people tastes , please yours first !
have fun playing and then try to share this fun with an audience !
Do not care about how other people play the guitar , do it your own way ! the way you like it !
In my case Im the complete opposite of Brian , I simply hate “ personal “ versions of famous songs , most of the time the song is ruined ( I mean : what I hear on the radio )
Its very rare to have an alternate version better then the original
So you see , its impossbile to please everyone … do what you like ! 
In the end you ll maybe do a little bit of both : close to the original but with a touch of your own style 
I agree, we’re all different with our own tastes and goals and I’m on board with most of what you say, Deborah
Especially this bit:
However, if ‘your own way’ means ‘as close as possible’ to the way someone else played it, then it’s not really your own, is it?
There’s no point in having an argument about semantics, though.
My main reason for posting was to encourage Joe to think carefully about what he’d like to achieve, and if possible, avoid him becoming discouraged if things don’t pan out the way he hopes. He’s setting an awfully high bar for himself.
Aim high!
Go for it, Joe! 
as long as the player enjoy what he s doing … who cares ?
Some guitarists made a pro career by being tribute bands so why not ^^
( and tribute bands attract a huge andience sometimes )
I went to an ABBA tribute concert once
I had the time of my life !
it was excellent and I had lot of fun
Bingo! Players will be in a much better place if they can learn to transpose on the fly or use a capo to change keys. This is the limitation of the learn songs, learn songs, learn songs mantra. It forces you into a particular and often rigid lane. Better to start out learning chord progressions (which are a building block for songs) in different keys. The more progressions you can play and transpose the more songs you can play --often times almost instantly. Flexibility is almost always the best ability.
I have no “morale” issue using a capo. It is just a tool. No one should be afraid to use it, and no one should look down on someone else for using a capo. Some people make it seems like Capo is a crutch, but then also use a pedals or such it is a crazy double standard.
That said, I HATE the capo. I have had the Kaiser on for a long time. I don’t like the way it feels on the guitar and I don’t like putting it on and taking it off. I don’t even usually bring it to gigs. I think I have probably used it once on a stage. I find that if there is difficult stuff to play, not adding the capo just forces me to get used to playing new chords or combinations etc.
BUT, there are some few songs that I find just sound better Capo’ed with the “cowboy” cords under.
Either way, I say do what sounds / feels the best.
This group is the BEST! I sure appreciate all the input here.
I don’t know know WHY I have a bee in my bonnet about playing tribute stuff, but it’s what DRIVES ME. It’s crazy. I just want to share the old stuff and hope either people remember and dig it or never heard it and love it.
Playing as close to the original is something I’m stupid crazy about. But I guess that’s the question I have here, if I’m changing the key to suit a lower register will it sound just as good? I have a hard enough time nailing it in the recorded key.
I just found out that I need to sing in a different key, at least for now, so this has thrown a wrench in my hopes - and the thought of learning either a billion new chords or using a capo (which I’m fine with), where the capo would cram my fat fingers into tiny frets and make the song sound too different to accommodate my voice…
As they say, Reality bites! This has taken quite a bit of wind from my sails… My learning path seems hard enough, let alone having to learn songs in a different key… Feels like I’m about to bite off more than I can chew.
Always felt that you need to count the cost before embarking on a new adventure!
You don’t need new chords to play in a different key.
A I IV V in the Key of A is A D E, in the key of E it’s E A B in the key of G it’s G C D in the key of D it’s D G A. these are all open chords or barre chords that you should already know.
If you need to sing in Eb tune your guitar down 1/2 o step. If you need to sing in F put a capo on the first fret and play the chords in E.
Its all good Joe.
As I said man, don’t stress.
You have a passion for wanting to play the old rockin’ songs like they used to sound. Thats your driving force, so go for it. Take on board what gels with you here, and discard the rest.
Don’t let anything or anyone dampen that passion. Musicians change keys for songs as often as they change their undies. Its commonplace. Just experiment on what works for you.
Lookin forward to some rockin’ tunes
Cheers, Shane
It will (provided you can hold a tune ). You know, even professional artists are known to sing and play songs in a different key when playing life than what’s on the record.
Don’t forget that people going to an open mic know that most players will not sound very close to the original. They don’t expect perfection. They won’t compare you with the original and say: “Nah, not the same, so not worth it.”. Your audience will know what to expect.
Now stop worrying - you can do this!
The only issues will be if you need the song about 2 to 5 semitones lower for your voice and the song has riffs or key sections that make essential use of open strings.