CAPO GUITAR
EXPLORING NEW VOICINGS WITH THE SHORT-CUT CAPO | Mitch Bohannon
Over the years , I ’ ve heard so many encouraging stories from many of you regarding playing the guitar using the cut capo . It ’ s really exciting to find out that it ’ s been a key part of someone learning to play guitar . For instance , I remember meeting Jon Guerra of Vertical Church Band . Jon ’ s music has been a blessing to me in my ministry for several years now . For him to explain to me that the Short-Cut capo was integral to his learning guitar is exciting and humbling . It ’ s amazing how the Lord works !
I ’ ve been writing about this capo for many years now . I ’ m sure there are new players out there that have yet to try it out … possibly someone just like Jon .
Over the years , I ’ ve covered the general use of the cut capo … placing it on the 2nd fret and playing and singing songs in the key of “ E ” or “ A ” then using a 6-string capo to move the cut capo up the fretboard so that you can play in different keys . As a worship leader , this is how I find the Short-Cut capo the most useful . However , the cut capo is not limited to this basic use . We ’ re going to take a step back and look at it in a different way . Let ’ s review first what a standard capo is made for .
A full capo placed on the first fret will move the
string notes UP ½ step . In this position , you can finger an “ E ” chord and you will hear an “ F ” chord … play a “ G ” chord and you ’ ll hear a “ G #” chord . Place the full capo on the 2nd fret and the string notes move UP another ½ step ( 1 full step total )… now that “ G ” chord is an “ A ”.
The 6-string capo is used to allow you to use the chord voicing or shape you prefer in a variety of keys . For instance , if the vocalist prefers to sing in the key of “ A ”, the guitar player can easily place the full capo on the 2nd fret and play in the key of “ G ”. Notice that “ G ” is LOWER on the scale than “ A ”… when the capo moves UP the fretboard , the chord name moves DOWN the scale . That means that we can move the full capo UP 3 more frets ( fret 5 ) and play in the key of “ E ” for the same song in the key of A . This can also be helpful when you have 2 guitars playing together – using 2 different voicings .
Now , let ’ s apply this principle to the Short- Cut capo . Remember , move the capo UP the fretboard and move your chord shapes DOWN the scale . Our chord shapes are modified to make use of the design of the Short-Cut capo – allowing strings 1 , 2 , and 6 to ring open . However , you may choose to finger strings 1 , 2 , and / or 6 to add color to your chord voicing . Also remember , we ’ re playing in the key of “ E .”
Place the Short-Cut capo on fret 2 and use the shapes from the key of “ D ,” this is DOWN one step from “ E ” ( chords would be D , A , G , Em ). Place the Short-Capo on the 4th fret and use the shapes from the key of “ C ” ( C , F , G ). You can also place the it on the 7th fret and use the shapes from the key of “ A ” ( A , D , E ) Or , place the capo on the 9th fret and use the shapes from the key of “ G ” ( G , C , D ). NOTE : in these positions , we ’ re changing the voicing of the chord but we ’ re still playing in the key of “ E .” All of these voicings can be applied to different keys with the use of 2 capos . However , you ’ re limited by the length of the neck of your guitar . So , take your Short-Cut capo , move it into these fret positions and give it a try . Play a couple of the chords in that voicing and see what you hear . You ’ ll be surprised to see what God can show you once you put your fingers to the strings !
Keep worshiping Him !
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