CAPO
201 – A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE PARTIAL CAPO
I hope you caught the 101 Guide to the Capo Low-E string open and then playing the same
article in the previous issue of Worship Musician. key of “D” chord shapes (chords: D, A, G, Bm)
If not, please check the archives online! As will now sound in the key of “E.” One of the
guitar players, whether in the church, in a band, major benefits over re-tuning is that the notes
solo work, or as a songwriter, accessories can on the open (bass) string have not changed.
serve as idea and creativity starters… from a This means that a “G” shape WORKS! (Fig.
variety of picks to slides… even changing a 2) You don’t have to change the fingering for
guitar strap can make the guitar feel different that chord shape. Just last week, I saw country
and cause you to approach playing differently. artist Michael Peterson on television playing one
Partial capos are just tools. They are tools that of his songs while using a capo in this position.
I believe players ought to be familiar with… He was using a capo upside down and placed
understanding that there are many variables just so it would cover strings 1-5 giving him the
when dealing with partial capos. They are not “Drop-D” tuning in the key of “E.”
always a “plug and play” type of thing.
MITCH BOHANNON
Developed the Short-Cut
Capo for Kyser. Worship
leader in Louisiana. Married
to his beautiful wife, Noelle,
for 23 years and they have
three awesome kids!
Songwriters, performers, and studio musicians
Three-string capos have been used for many use this three-string capo often. For me, I’ve
If you’re not familiar with using partial capos, years to form the “DADGAD” tuning. I got to be found that it sparks a lot of creativity and on
simply put, it’s basically using a capo that does part of the development of this capo for Kyser platform or in recordings; it is a fantastic way to
not hold down all six strings. A five-string capo Musical Products in 2001. “DADGAD” is often blend multiple acoustic guitars.
can be used at the second fret to instantly associated with Celtic and folk music and is create “Drop-D” tuning and a three-string capo created by dropping strings 1, 2, and 6 down Don’t be hesitant to explore with partial capos.
can be placed at the second fret to instantly a full step. The three-string capo covers strings Once you begin strumming down this journey,
create “DADGAD” tuning. These are the two 3, 4, and 5 and, placed on the second fret, it you just may be inspired with your own partial
capos that I will focus on in this article, but just creates this tuning in the key of “E” (EBEABE capo concoction that will open new musical
to state… whether players are using a capo in front of the capo) by raising notes instead of doors for you. But first, start with these two and
that is manufactured or homemade, there are lowering them. Just like I mentioned about the you’ll even be able to explore new ideas since
folks playing with capos that cover any number “Drop-D” capo, using the partial capo to create I’ve just scratched the surface here.
of strings and in any configuration. “DADGAD” keeps finger positions very similar
to standard tuning and is very easy to learn.
The first partial capo that I ever learned about
was the “Drop-D”, or the 5-string capo. Playing The simplicity of playing with a three-string
in “Drop-D” has been a popular style from capo is a bonus and actually is a great way to
rock to country and everything in between for teach young guitar players because the chord
many years. Without a capo, the player would shapes are partial shapes of chords played
normally tune the bass string to “D” (down in standard tuning. For instance, basic chord
one full step) and play a song in the key of “D” shapes will only use one or two fingers (Fig.3).
(chords: D, A, G, Bm), creating a full, six-string
chord with a solid bass note for that “D” chord.
The player then has to understand that the
bass notes have moved when changing from
(Figure 1)
(Figure 2)
(Figure 3)
a “D” chord to a “G” chord after the 6th string
note has been lowered. (Fig. 1)
There are a couple of companies that specifically
make a 5-string or “Drop-D” capo. The idea is
to make switching to the tuning instantaneous
rather than actually re-tuning the guitar. Placing
a 5-string capo on the second fret leaves the
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May Jun 2017
WorshipMusician.com