Capos

Capo, plural capos, is a term with multiple uses in English. It derives from the Italian capo, meaning “head” or “leader.” In everyday language, it most often refers to two unrelated notions: a device used on fretted string instruments to transpose pitch, and a high-ranking member of a criminal organization, particularly in the Italian-American Mafia. The two uses are etymologically distinct but share the root meaning of leadership or position.

In music, a capo (short for capotasto) is a clamp or clamp-like device placed across the neck of a guitar, banjo, mandolin, or similar instrument. By shortening the vibrating length of the strings, it raises the pitch of all strings by a constant interval, usually a semitone per fret. Capos are used to change key without retuning or to obtain different tonal colors while keeping the same fingerings. Common varieties include spring-loaded, screw-type, and strap-on models, and they are typically positioned just behind a fret.

In organized crime, a capo is a rank for a mid- to high-level member who oversees one or more crews working for a boss. A capo may coordinate activities, collect tribute, assign tasks, and enforce discipline within his territory or “crew.” The term is often associated with the Italian-American Mafia, where capos may report directly to a higher-ranking administrator such as a capo di tutti capi or the boss, depending on the organization. The use and structure of capos vary across groups and jurisdictions.

Around the world, the word capo is used in various languages to mean chief or leader, and in English the term is primarily understood in these two senses.