Partial Capo for Total Beginners (Guitar Lesson)

Chord Charts

All chords in this lesson information section are played with a cut capo placed on the fifth, fourth, and third strings at the second fret. The first chart listed under each chord instructs you where to place the left hand fingers on the fret board. The second diagram for each chord is a composite of the notes fretted by the left hand and the cut capo. The numbers within the diagrams represent fret numbers NOT finger numbers.

E5

(Strum all six strings.)

E_x_
B_x_
G_4_
D_x_
A_x_
E_x_

E_0_
B_0_
G_4_
D_2_
A_2_
E_0_

B7sus4

(Strum the five highest strings.)

E_x_
B_x_
G_x_
D_4_
A_x_
E_x_

E_0_
B_0_
G_2_
D_4_
A_2_
E_x_

Emaj7sus4

(Strum all six strings.)

E_x_
B_4_
G_x_
D_x_
A_x_
E_x_

E_0_
B_4_
G_2_
D_2_
A_2_
E_0_

F#m7/C#

(Strum the five highest strings.)

E_x_
B_2_
G_x_
D_4_
A_4_
E_x_

E_0_
B_2_
G_2_
D_2_
A_4_
E_x_

F#m11/C#

(Strum the five highest strings.)

E_x_
B_x_
G_x_
D_x_
A_4_
E_x_

E_0_
B_0_
G_2_
D_2_
A_4_
E_x_

E

(Strum all six strings.)

E_4_
B_5_
G_4_
D_x_
A_x_
E_x_

E_4_
B_5_
G_4_
D_2_
A_2_
E_0_

Badd11

(Strum the five highest strings.)

E_x_
B_4_
G_4_
D_4_
A_x_
E_x_

E_0_
B_4_
G_4_
D_4_
A_2_
E_x_

Lesson Overview

In this lesson and the next couple of lessons, Randall introduces the "partial capo" or "short cut capo." The information presented in these lessons is geared primarily towards people that are brand new to the guitar as well as people with disabilities. However, intermediate and advanced players can definitely pick up some fresh ideas by watching these lessons.

Lesson Objectives

-Learn how the partial capo was developed.
-Explore the numerous advantages of playing with a partial capo.
-Learn how a partial capo can be used to play basic chords with only one fretting finger.
-Play some basic folk songs that utilize the chord voicings taught in the lesson.

Additional Resources

For additional instruction, check out Randall's DVD released by the Kyser company. You can purchase the DVD here.

Additional Capo Information

Check out the following links for excellent information concerning the history of the partial capo:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Using a Standard Capo / Transposition

A standard capo (one that covers all six strings) is a tool that allows you to transpose any material to a new key. Essentially, by clamping a capo on the fretboard, you are changing the location of the nut. With a capo, you are free to use basic "open" chord shapes higher on the fretboard. Since the location of the nut has changed, the location of what is considered to be an open string has changed as well.

Using a capo is especially advantageous if you are singing along with the guitar. The original key of the song may simply be too low or too high for you. In this case, you must transpose the song to a key that is more comfortable for your voice.

It is not necessary to learn new chord voicings when transposing a song to a new key. The chord voicings used for the original key of the song can still be used when playing with the capo. These voicings will simply sound higher or lower in pitch since they have been transposed to a new key. Always sing a song in the key that is most comfortable for you. This might not necessarily be a key that the song is typically sung in.

Standard Capo Use in Tablature

When a full capo is used for a song, all of the tablature numbers are written relative to the capo. Since the capo changes the location of the nut, the fret where the capo is attached is now considered to be the location of an open string.

Placement of the Capo

The way in which you clamp the capo on the fretboard is extremely important. Similar to playing slide guitar, the capo must be positioned perfectly parallel to the frets. Otherwise, your guitar will sound out of tune. Unlike playing slide however, the capo must be placed just behind the fret instead of directly on top of the fret. In addition, make sure that the capo does not bend the strings upwards. This will also cause your guitar to sound sharp.

Note: The following information about tuning issues involving a capo are taken from lesson 20 of Jim Deeming's Phase 1 Series. Please visit this lesson for more information.

Capo Problems

Playing with a capo can potentially cause tuning problems. The capo must be placed in the proper location and checked with a tuner. If it is clamped too tightly or too close to the fret, it will force the string to sound sharp. To eliminate this problem, give the strings a small tug after clamping on a capo. As a result, the strings will go slightly flat and balance out the problem. It's always a good idea to check your tuning once the capo has been clamped properly in place. Just remember that the pitch of the open string has been changed when referencing an electronic tuning device.

Partial or "Short Cut" Capos

The partial capo is a regular six string capo that has been cut so that it does not cover all six strings. Most partial capos clamp on the A, D, and G strings. However, partial capos can be attached to the guitar in a variety of different locations.

Clamping the partial capo at the second fret on the A, D, and G strings is the most common application. When the guitar is tuned to standard tuning, attaching the capo in this way produces interval relationships similar to DADGAD tuning. The same chord voicings and ideas that are used in DADGAD can also be used when playing with a partial capo. However, it should be noted that using a partial capo in the manner described above is NOT the same as playing in DADGAD tuning. Essentially, using the partial capo creates DADGAD tuning transposed up one full step. Strumming all six open strings with the capo produces the notes E, B, E, A, B, E. Together these notes form an Esus4 chord.

Other Common Partial Capos

Drop D Capo - This capo clamps on the 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings at the 2nd fret. This produces a Drop D tuning transposed one whole step higher.

Double Drop D - This is a four string capo that clamps on the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings at the second fret. Strumming the open strings results in the same notes as Double Drop D tuning. However, all of the pitches are transposed up one full step.

Partial Capo and Tablature

When a guitar part that features a partial capo is transcribed, the tablature is written as though the capo is another fretting finger. For example, if all six strings are strummed with no left hand fingers on the fretboard, the following tablature numbers are indicated in the score:

0
0
2
2
2
0

Chord Shapes with the Partial Capo

A wealth of colorful chords can be played with just one fretting finger, when a "DADGAD" partial capo is clamped on the guitar. It really doesn't matter which fretting finger you use. Choose the finger that feels most comfortable to you.

The list provided below will get you started with some basic chords. Simply fret the note at the location indicated.

3rd String / 4th Fret: Fretting this note results in an E5 chord. This chord can be used effectively as the I or tonic chord in the key of E major.

4th String / 4th Fret: Fretting this note results in a Bsus4 chord. Bsus4 provides an option for the V chord in the key of E major.

5th String / 4th Fret: An F#m11 chord is produced when this note is fretted. In relation to the key of E major, F#m11 is the ii chord.

ii V I Progression

Second only to the I IV V progression, the ii V I is arguably the most common chord progression used in folk music, rock, and jazz. Literally thousands of songs can be played with the three chords that Randall demonstrates in the lesson video.

Playing Songs

At the beginning of Scene 3, Randall demonstrates how the voicings listed above can be used to play "John B. Sails." He provides a slower performance example of the song at 01:34.

"The Water Is Wide" is another popular folk song that can be played using just a few simple chords. Randall demonstrates the progression to this song in Scene 5.

Note: Tablature and notation to all musical examples can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Strumming Rhythm

Keep in mind that a strumming pattern does not necessarily need to be elaborate in order to be effective. For example, Randall strums "John B. Sails" in a simple half note rhythm. As long as the right hand supplies a steady rhythmic feel, the integrity of the song will remain intact.

Feel free to strum either with a thumb or with a pick. However, you must be aware of the difference in tone that is produced between these two methods. Strumming with the thumb produces a much softer tone. On the other hand, playing with a pick results in a much more aggressive attack.

Additional Chord Voicings

At 01:00 in Scene 4, Randall demonstrates some new versions of the ii V and I chords in the key of E major. These voicings are slightly more challenging since they require a few additional fretting fingers. Diagrams to these voicings are provided under the "Info About This Lesson" tab. Once you are familiar with these new shapes, try playing "John B. Sails" and any other songs you may know. For example, "Country Roads, Take Me Home" can be played using these simple three chord voicings.

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Video Subtitles / Captions

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