CUT CAPO
HAMMER-ONS AND PULL-OFFS | Mitch Bohannon
Tried anything new lately? When’s the last time To play a hammer-on, strum the strings (all of the time, my ‘palm mute’ is usually with the
you’ve put a cut capo on your guitar neck and open) and then snap all fingers into their chord side of my hand. It will create a nice percussive
given it a strum? Whether or not you play with shape. To play a pull-off, strum the strings (with sound that also adds to the rhythm.
the cut capo on a regular basis, I would argue chord fingered) and then pop your fingers off that there is something new to learn with it the strings – in a way you’re re-striking the As I mentioned, using a pull-off in rhythm can
most every time you play. It’s an idea-sparker, strings with your left hand. Try it with a single easily create that triplet-like effect. Within a
a melody-creator, and an ear-opener. It could string as well as trying it with the whole shape rhythm, strike the open string(s) and hammer-
even give you a much-needed breakthrough. to get an idea of the difference it makes. You on. Then pull-off as fast as you hammered-on.
Here’s a simple lesson about using hammer- will probably end up preferring one over the When you pull-off, pull your fingers away in a
ons and pull-offs that I teach when I am other. downward motion.
Obviously, you wouldn’t want to do this for If you simply lift your fingers from the fret board,
Normally, when playing standard, open chords, every chord in every song because that would the strings will just stop ringing.
you’re able to use a hammer-on or a pull-off be way too busy. It’s helpful just to enhance and while playing different chords, but that’s usually create feeling in what you’re playing. Here’s a Try something new and add it to your setlist for
limited to one or two notes within that chord. pattern to try: (use the “E” or “B” chords) Down- this week. The goal is to be better by Sunday!
Because of the chord shapes and voicings strum, hammer-on the chord shape… then up- related to the cut capo, most every chord strum, use a palm-mute, release your chord played is a six-string chord. This means that shape and down-strum the open strings and you are free to strum all six strings all the time, hammer-on the chord shape again. For chord allowing for a much fuller sounding chord. And shapes like the “D” chord shown, I will usually with the cut capo, you can often hammer-on hammer-on and pull-off on the 4th string or the and pull-off the entire chord shape (all fingers) 4th and 2nd strings together.
instructing with the cut capo.
on most all chords. The use of hammer-ons
and pull-offs add ‘color’ to a rhythm and can Palm muting is simply stopping the strings
even help you to create a triplet-like effect. with your right hand (strumming hand) before
strumming again. With a pick in my hand most
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February 2020
Mitch Bohannon
Mitch Bohannon and his wife, Noelle have been
married for over 27 years with three adult kids. Mitch
developed the Short-Cut capo for Kyser and is a
teacher/coach in Louisiana
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