As I receive questions about cut capo usage and theory, I will continue posting here. If you have any questions, use the contact form below!
What is a cut capo? How do I use it?
A cut capo is a partial capo that covers the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings (A, D, G) on a guitar. When in standard tuning the cut capo mimics an open tuning (E2 chord) and greatly simplifies chord shapes. This makes for great sounding chord progressions that utilize open strings while using very simple chord shapes.
A cut capo is placed on the second fret of the guitar. It can also be used in conjunction with a regular capo. Just make sure that the cut capo is always two frets higher than the standard capo. The downside to a cut capo is that it requires learning new chord shapes.
Billy Jean Foote was the first to use a cut capo and used it for his hit worship song "You are my King". The cut capo is sometimes referred to as the Foote Capo for this reason. He showed it to Chris Tomlin shortly after and the rest is history. Check out Shane Bernard from Shane and Shane (especially his early work) for some great examples of what you can do with a cut capo.
A cut capo is placed on the second fret of the guitar. It can also be used in conjunction with a regular capo. Just make sure that the cut capo is always two frets higher than the standard capo. The downside to a cut capo is that it requires learning new chord shapes.
Billy Jean Foote was the first to use a cut capo and used it for his hit worship song "You are my King". The cut capo is sometimes referred to as the Foote Capo for this reason. He showed it to Chris Tomlin shortly after and the rest is history. Check out Shane Bernard from Shane and Shane (especially his early work) for some great examples of what you can do with a cut capo.
How can i tell what open (non-capo) chords I am playing?
A cut capo is a lot of fun to play around with, but if you want to play with other people or be better equipped to explore your musical options it's a good idea to know what actual chords you are playing. When you play the chords below using a cut capo in the open position (meaning that you ONLY use a cut capo and not a standard capo in addition) you are playing the chords listed below. When you apply a standard capo all of the normal capo rules apply. If you put a standard capo on the 1st fret and your cut capo on the 3rd fret you would now be playing one note higher than the written chords. If you play an E Chord Shape below, you are actually playing an F chord. If you play an A2 shape, you are actually playing an A#2/Bb2 chord, etc. The only part of the chord that changes is the actual note name (G, A, Bb, F#, etc). The quality of the chord (m, m7, 2, etc.) remains the same.
Do you have a chart that tells me what actual chords I am playing based on what fret my standard capo is on?
Check this out. Though there is an easy to follow chart, I also explain how you can easily memorize the chromatic scale (also explained on the link) so that you will never have to look at a chart again! There is also a chart at the bottom of the linked page that gives popular chords in each key. This is a great way to work on songwriting or to determine what key a song is in. Use it in conjunction with the cut capo chord chart below to write some great music.