CAPO GUITAR
IDEAS FOR CREATING A GREAT ACOUSTIC SERVICE | Mitch Bohannon
photo : Becca Tapert via Unsplash
Ever want to mix things up a bit ? Maybe you ’ re looking for a different , more intimate atmosphere for worship ? With all the clicktracks , backing-tracks , pads and fillers , it ’ s easy to get stuck in a rut of expectation . Having a fresh presentation can breathe new life into a congregation ’ s worship experience . I ’ ve led acoustic services with two acoustics , a bass , and a cajon . I ’ ve also used three acoustics with the bass and drums .
For years , at conferences , I ’ ve encouraged musicians to use capos to “ separate ” acoustic guitars sonically when there are two or more acoustics sharing the platform . It ’ s important to remember two basic rules about the six-string capo : 1 ) Capos Change the Pitch and 2 ) Capos Change the Voicing . Changing the pitch means you ’ d play one chord shape at various capo positions and the pitch rises as you move the capo up the fretboard . Changing the voicing means that you ’ d be playing in a particular key , and with the correct capo placement , you ’ ll play that same key using a different chord shape . Examples : 1 ) Play an “ E ” shape at Capo-3 and you ’ ll be hearing a “ G ” chord . 2 ) Play an “ E ” chord open , then play an “ E ” by playing Capo-2 “ D-shape ,” or Capo-4 “ C-shape .”
So , here ’ s an example , one of our church favorite songs is Hillsong ’ s “ What A Beautiful Name ” in the key of “ D ”. With two acoustics , having one play open in standard tuning is fine , but having the second guitar playing Capo-
5 using “ A-shapes ” may sound too close sonically . I would recommend the second guitar using the Short-Cut capo at fret 7 ( with full capo at fret 5 ) or simply play with “ G-shapes ” with a full capo at fret 7 . Both examples would be in the key of “ D ”.
How would you bring in a third acoustic guitar ? Great question ! Most folks don ’ t have a baritone acoustic ( which would be cool , but that will be another article ), a 12-string is an idea , however , I personally prefer to often steer away from them . Have you ever tried Nashville tuning ? It ’ s also called playing “ high-strung .” This is the technique of playing with the 3 , 4 , 5 , and 6 strings all tuned UP an octave . You ’ ll need to either purchase a set of strings that are gauged for this or create your own mix of gauges . A standard High-Strung set would be something like . 010 ( high E ), . 014 ( B ), . 009 ( G ), . 012 ( D ), . 018 ( A ), and . 027 ( E ). Playing a guitar in Nashville tuning gives a wonderful mandolineffect that will really cut through the mix with the other guitars . Adding a capo and / or a Short- Cut capo to the Nashville tuning only increases the sonic options and possibilities .
Once you play around with re-voicing some songs using a six-string capo and / or the Short- Cut capo as well as adding in new voicings with Nashville tuning , I believe you ’ ll hear elements that you ’ ll want to bring into your standard Sunday morning sets . The goal is to widen the musical pallet , not to muddy it . That ’ s why it ’ s important to separate , using a variety of capo positions , and not play too close together sonically .
One thing I did not mention is that in putting together an acoustic service , using capos and Nashville tuning can create great textures while too much strumming can ruin them . This is a struggle I have dealt with when adding extra acoustic guitars … it is the battle for the rhythm . If two acoustic players are determined to play the full rhythm of the song , it can quickly turn into a mess . Make sure each guitar has an understood job to do , a specific thing to play . For instance , have one guitar playing melodies , lead lines , or even fingerstyle while another is playing a more controlling rhythm . The third guitar can play a “ supporting ” rhythm ( like just a simple down-up strum ). The important thing is to ensure that each musician understands their role in order to make sure that the music does not get muddy and that it translates well for the congregation . All roles on the platform need to be defined .
So as you lead into the new year , peel back some layers , explore some new sounds , mash some songs together and worship !
Mitch Bohannon Mitch Bohannon and his wife , Noelle have been married for 30 years with three adult kids and two granddaughters . Mitch developed the Short- Cut Capo for Kyser and is the Director of Live Production at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles , Louisiana .