CAPO GUITAR
KEEP IT DRONING | Mitch Bohannon
Playing open tunings like DADGAD heavily incorporates droning notes … These are notes that ring constantly through most or all the chord shapes . These notes create a pad-like resonance that supports the musical patterns you ’ re playing . The Kyser Short-Cut capo placed on standard-tuned strings at the 2 nd fret , creates DADGAD tuning that is up one full step ( the notes are EBEABE ). This technique also centers around droning notes , but since the strings are still in standard tuning , the fingerings are more natural , and I believe they are easier to understand .
I ’ ve often said that playing with the Short-Cut capo is not necessarily intended for every single song . We need to make sure that we are serving the song well when we play .
A quick review of the Short-Cut capo : 1 . The capo covers strings 3 , 4 , & 5 ; 2 . At the second fret , the capo holds an “ Esus ” chord by itself ; 3 . Strings 1 ( E ) and 2 ( B ) are open and droning through most chord shapes ; 4 . The chord shapes used are modified from playing in the key of “ D ” ( D , A , G , Bm ) and the key of “ G ” ( G , C , D , Em )… and since we ’ re playing a full-step up , these are now the keys of “ E ” and “ A .”
We ’ re still playing in the key of “ E ” ( chords E , B , A , F # m , and C # m ). Because of the fingerings , the main droning note we now have is the 1 st string at the 2 nd fret which is an “ F #” note . Looking at how the “ F #” affects the chord shapes … to the “ E ” it is a 2 ; to the “ A ” it is a 6 ; to the “ B ” it is a 5 ; to the “ F # m ” it is the 1 ; to the “ C # m ” it is a 4 ( sus ); and to the “ G # m ” it is the 7 . It really creates a different feel when the droning note comes from one of the minor chords of the key !
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So , get your guitar tuned up and grab your capos . Gently strum and pick through the shapes shown and listen to the new variations of these chords . Check out the video as I attempt to let you see and hear some of the combinations and variations of chords . Then , try some of the tricks that you normally play with those chord shapes … hammer-ons or pull-offs or slides . You ’ ll quickly find things that work and rule out things that don ’ t . It just may be an answer that you ’ ve been looking for !
Mitch Bohannon Mitch developed the Short-Cut Capo for Kyser and is the Director of Live Production at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles , Louisiana .
E A B C # m G # m
As I ’ ve explained , in the first position , the main droning notes are the E ( 1 st string ) and the B ( 2 nd string ). Looking for something different ? Here ’ s an idea to try . Place a Kyser Drop-D capo on fret 2 . This capo covers all strings except the 6 th string ( Low-E ). If you don ’ t have a specific Drop-D capo , place your standard , 6-string capo on from the bottom of the neck and don ’ t cover the 6 th ( bass ) string . Then , place the Short-Cut capo on fret 4 ( 2 frets in front of the Drop-D capo ). Now , the note configuration you have is E / C #/ D / B / C #/ F #. We have retained the root note in the bass with the “ E ” string . Now , to match the key of “ E ” being 4-frets up the neck , we ’ ll need to use chord shapes from the key of “ C ” ( see chord diagrams ). 58 February 2025 Subscribe for Free ...