larry - Posted - 09/21/2011:  20:40:00

My friend shared something pretty neat the other day with a Kyser capo and I thought I'd pass it along.  (Many of you will already know about this but those who don't may find it interesting....

With the usual drop D tuning when you change to other chords you have to improvise or simply avoid the 6th string.  If you have a Kyser style capo that is open ended you can place it on the 2nd fret upside down placing it over all the strings except the 6th.  This allows the 6th string to remain open.  Now, when playing the d chord you of course are actually playing an E chord.  but you can still play all strings on the G chord ( A chord ).

Anyway, that's it.  I thought it was pretty cool.

Jim Yates - Posted - 09/22/2011:  14:58:34

Great idea.  I do this with my Shubb too.

ccravens - Posted - 09/22/2011:  16:42:51

I think I know what you're talking about, and if so, any capo will do. As long as it's like a Kyser in how it works.

I just place/capo my Kyser on all of the strings except the low E, and on the second fret. I guess that would make it Drop-E tuning?

Is that what you're talking about? You can get some cool sounds that way.

larry - Posted - 09/22/2011:  20:52:16

quote:

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Originally posted by ccravens

I think I know what you're talking about, and if so, any capo will do. As long as it's like a Kyser in how it works.

I just place/capo my Kyser on all of the strings except the low E, and on the second fret. I guess that would make it Drop-E tuning?

Is that what you're talking about? You can get some cool sounds that way.

Yeah, that's exactly it.  Another cool thing is that you can still barre chords up the neck and play all the strings.

 

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CFMartinD18V - Posted - 09/24/2011:  01:22:53

I've been using modified Dunlop capo that takes drop-D idea little bit futher. Flipped capo on second fret presses only 3th, 4th ja 5th strings and 1st, 2nd and 6th are open making it sort of open DADGAD-tuning, only in the key of E. Dunlop capo is modified by cutting a small piece of rubber so 6th string can freely vibrate.

Edited by - CFMartinD18V on 09/24/2011 01:24:23

pastorharry - Posted - 09/24/2011:  13:26:07

You can do the same thing on the fourth fret and play in the C position chords.

BTW; You can take a Kyser capo and mark where your 6th string and 5th strings rest, and take an exacto knife and cut the rubber off  from between the two ,just behind the 6th string,(just past the 5th), to make your own cut-capo. That way the capo is centered on the neck and there's no chance of it slipping or your first string buzzing.

Edited by - pastorharry on 09/24/2011 13:34:39

pastorharry - Posted - 09/24/2011:  13:41:48

Also note that you can take a regular capo and put it anywhere on your guitar's fretboard, and use the cut-capo up two or four frets above it., For instance -regular capo on the third fret, cut capo on the fifth fret with D position chords or the seventh fret with C...this opens up some serious options....have fun!

shoegoo - Posted - 09/28/2011:  08:16:42

I've always avoided dropped "D" tuning because I don't like the idea of retuning one string for what in most cases ends up being

one or two notes in the whole tune. I was in Beppe's Gambetta's class and after quickly looking over the tab I remarked " we need

to retune one string for one note?". To each his own pleasure.

Edited by - shoegoo on 09/28/2011 08:17:32

DaddyJ - Posted - 09/28/2011:  09:28:25

quote:

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Originally posted by shoegoo

I've always avoided dropped "D" tuning because I don't like the idea of retuning one string for what in most cases ends up being

one or two notes in the whole tune. I was in Beppe's Gambetta's class and after quickly looking over the tab I remarked " we need

to retune one string for one note?". To each his own pleasure.

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I kind of felt the same way until my son decided to learn “Man of Constant Sorrow”.  His favorite version is this one because of Dan’s rhythm.  Turns out, he’s playing it in drop D (actually drop F with the capo).  It’s tough to get that sound without the drop tuning.  So my son is learning how to play in drop D.  There are some pretty nifty things you can do rhythm wise in drop D.

Also, when Nick’s guitar teacher was showing him how to play it, he was able to get into and out of drop D in literally a few seconds without even using a tuner.  So it’s really no hassle at all with practice.

Another option is to use two capos.  For instance, if you capo once across the third fret, then again across the fifth fret leaving the low E string open, you’re effectively in drop G tuning without actually retuning.  I’ve seen Brad Davis do a lot of stuff with two capos but I don’t know if it was drop D.