CAPO GUITAR
THROWBACK: 2016 VERTICAL WORSHIP“ EXALTED OVER ALL” | Mitch Bohannon
I know it’ s not just me, because I’ m seeing it in both my son’ s church and my son-in-law’ s church … a resurgence of throwback songs being used in our Sunday morning setlist. Do you put a“ shelf-life” on songs for your setlist? Sure, there are tons of new songs to choose from. But there is still a powerful message and connection with many of those ancient( 10-year-old) songs!
I know I’ ve mentioned the recent“ House of Worship” record where 13 of these throwback songs were re-recorded as duets with some of our favorite voices of 2026. We are all leading worship in a season that is rich with options, full of songs to help your congregation connect with the Father. I think many of us are realizing it’ s not about the top 20 CCM / Worship Radio list.
Yes, we are living in a time that is rich with great song options, but it’ s also a time in which Truth is being challenged, questioned, and even watered down more than ever before … at least in my lifetime. Our songs need to be singable, solid, and sanctifying. who say,“ Why don’ t you do some hymns?” And you answer,“ Do you mean like the three we did today?” And they reply,“ Those didn’ t sound like the hymns I remember.”( Actual conversation I was told about).
This song powerfully communicates the message of the Cross. This could easily be an Easter song, but we need to communicate and sing of the Cross of Christ weekly.
Dynamically, to follow the recording, I would play finger style through the first verses and chorus. Then at the second verse, to raise the dynamic up, I would use what I call a“ chop strum” Someone was asking me just this week on Instagram what I was doing. Maybe my term is not the best, but it’ s how I describe it. I’ m popping the bass note and not strumming all the strings. I’ ll grab strings 3 and 4 quickly on the way back up. It’ s also a palm-muting thing to keep the dynamic down.( Check out the video below).
Combining that with some hammer-ons and pull-offs with the left hand and you can get a pretty cool, singable groove. Playing that“ chop” rhythm in the verses sets up the choruses to ring powerfully when you begin to play full. Watch for the triplets after the phrases of the chorus. It’ s really important to play those sections like your guitar is singing the song too. For each of the“ slash-chords” like“ E / A”… leave the second chord for the bass guitar and piano and just play“ E”.
As always, if you want to get my Short-Cut Capo handbook, just email me at cutcapo @ gmail. com. So, grab your capos an exalt His name!
A E D A / C # F # m7
Mitch Bohannon Mitch Bohannon and his wife, Noelle have been married for over 33 years with three adult kids and 6 grandchildren! Mitch developed the Short-Cut capo for Kyser and leads worship at Trinity Baptist in Orange, TX and is an English teacher in Louisiana.
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I was recently having this discussion with my son, Sam. That conversation was full of“ do you remember …?” And“ Oh, yeah, I need to write that one down!” And“ I may add that song to next Sunday, I almost forgot about that one!”
That’ s where Exalted Over All comes in. I’ ve been a big Vertical Worship fan since I started following them 14-15 years ago. Open Up the Heavens, Not for a Moment, Jailbreak, Call on the Name … Goodness, just listing those songs brings back some fantastic memories of worship gatherings. Remember, when you’ re adding throwback songs, add them on purpose and not because they“ feel good.” If we start doing“ feel good” songs then we become like the complainers
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