Do Some Instrumentals Become Stumbling Blocks?

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 15 May 2012 1:57 pm

I saw Hank Thompson many times over the years and he would have a band member move his capo for him while in a song. Back in the good old days Bob White his steel player who played standing up would walk over and move Hanks capo for him. Tracy

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 15 May 2012 4:05 pm

Tracy,

Just about the time you think you've seen it all, out pops another experience that a lifetime of living wouldn't reveal, unless happenstance becomes favorable at a particular moment. There was at one time in a particular nightclub, about 20 miles as a crow flies from home that featured country music on weekends. I stopped in there to check out the band members who were booked that evening. The lead singer who was holding his guitar against his mike stand, and using it for a slide on his instrument, was quite adept at creating his version of mimicking a steel guitar. I've met steel guitar wanna-bes, so common in these country hill towns, although none were so determined to publicize a yearning to play the steel guitar.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 15 May 2012 7:35 pm

b0b wrote:I like first position chords so much, I programmed a computer to play them in any key. Listen to the faux guitar on this track: http://b0blee.bandcamp.com/track/poppa

Is it my computer or what the heck was all that? Everything sounded like it was playing backwards.

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 15 May 2012 8:13 pm

When you put that steel tube on your finger and slide it on the strings of a guitar you've just become a steel guitar player.
Slide it against a mike stand, play it behind your back, pick it with your teeth and have a girl in a bikini slide your capo up one fret. It's all a part of being in show business!
That's the thing about playing live, you are being seen as well as heard.
Steel players just sit there on a Pak-a-Seat with a pained expression on their face looking like they're straining to take a dump.

Chuck Thompson · Post by **Chuck Thompson** » 16 May 2012 1:08 am

So......Do Some Instrumentals Become A Stumbling Capo?

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 16 May 2012 3:13 am

Chuck,

I think you just caused the Universe to fall into complete order. This must be what this is all about.

Surely, there must be a prize...in this life or in some future life.

Thank you!!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 3:46 am

In many instances you'll find that the presence of "who cares" attitudes are more prevalent than otherwise would be indicated by surface indications. Advocates of following the easiest path of resistance often find themselves mired in bad habits. The "CAPO" has has been known to lure lesser pickers, as well as others into a scheme of circumventing a much needed course in applicatory chord studies. A few have noted that CHET has resorted to using a "capo" as a means to achieve certain advantages. Much like modern keyboards, CHET could mimic those shifting tones at will. To say that his use of a "capo" was a practical advantage is purely ludicrous. I can't think of anything more ridiculous than to opine that he had to use a "capo". More than likely, it was intended to demonstrate to others possessing limited chord knowledge, how to achieve much needed pitch changes with the least amount of effort. The "capo" no doubt, was originally a temporary means of allowing a student to play along with others while learning the "tricks" of the trade. It would otherwise impede the flashy maneuverability of a guitar instrumentalist. A bridge of a sort over troubled waters.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 16 May 2012 5:32 am

Baloney. Say what you want but it's just a simple tool that sometimes comes in handy. Like a wheelbarrow or a can opener.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 16 May 2012 6:39 am

I can't remember ever using a wheelbarrow or a can opener.
I have pickup truck and who eats can food? Surely no one even gives their pets can food.
Using a capo is a sign of weakness. The ladies will all think you have ED and you're just asking to get beat up and robbed after your gig.
The only reason Chet started using a capo is he got old and couldn't see the frets anymore.
Tebow never used a Capo so I'm pretty sure God wouldn't want you to use a Capo.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 6:45 am

Bud,

Perhaps a mandolin would serve the needs of those who have a penchant to hear higher pitches. Every melody I've heard can be played in any key in the first five frets of the guitar.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 May 2012 6:55 am

Bill Hankey wrote:To say that his [Chet's] use of a "capo" was a practical advantage is purely ludicrous. I can't think of anything more ridiculous than to opine that he had to use a "capo". More than likely, it was intended to demonstrate to others possessing limited chord knowledge, how to achieve much needed pitch changes with the least amount of effort.

More likely, he wanted those chord inversions in a different key. Consider the oft-used first position C chord with a high G on the first string: C E G C G. If you want to play that in Eb as Eb G Bb Eb Bb, there's no way to do it without a capo. The chord uses all 4 fingers and an open string.

There are many first position chords on the guitar that use all four fingers plus 1 or 2 open strings. If you want the sound of first position chords, which are necessary to invoke the folksy feeling of real country music, the use of a capo is often the only way to get it.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 16 May 2012 7:03 am

As a finger style guitarist, like Chet Atkins, a capo is used so that certain picking patterns and alternative bass string playing is possible in different keys that would otherwise be impossible.

Bill, your opinions about capos show a lack of understanding of fingerstyle guitar techniques in my opinion.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 7:13 am

Bill M.,

I never use a flat pick while playing a Spanish guitar. And yes, I'm familiar with those famous doubling octaves that Chet was famous for creating.. such as those he played in "Country Gentleman".

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 7:46 am

b0b,

Please don't lose sight of the fact that I stressed playing melodies. Dozens of melodies can be played in the 1st five frets although guitarist by the hundreds usually roam in and out of the available 15 or so handy fret positions. It's purely showmanship.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 May 2012 7:50 am

I can't think of anything more ridiculous than to opine that he had to use a "capo".

Bill, nobody here even remotely suggested that Chet had to use a capo. He used it voluntarily. You are obviously "capophobic."

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 8:01 am

Barry,

As usual, when you have difficulty trying to prove an absurd point, you resort to admonishing strategems. I'm open for anyone who can seriously consider that Chet was comfortable while using the "capo". Even a fool should realize that the common bar chord is the same as a "capo".

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 May 2012 8:19 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Even a fool should realize that the common bar chord is the same as a "capo".

I am less that a fool then, Bill, as I don't see how you can play the same chords up the neck if your index finger is busy "barring". Some of them are possible, but many are not. You would need an extra finger.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 8:52 am

b0b,

Seriously, I regard the use of capos to be nothing more than a crutch to take up the slack, should you have reason to impress beyond your abilities due to not fully understanding a guitar's fretboard. All of the trills and thrills are within a knowledgeable player's grasp. The capo is unnecessary baggage. It's nothing more than a novelty to satisfy individual whims. I suppose the ladies with diminished muscularity would find the capo to be an assist on poor action guitars.

Mitch Adelman · Post by **Mitch Adelman** » 16 May 2012 8:55 am

What Bob said! In bluegrass a certain sound and licks of using the open G position up the neck with a capo is required if you want the song to sound "correct". It has nothing to do with a player's ability. Just ask Tony Rice or any virtuoso flat picker!It certainly is not a crutch..

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 May 2012 9:13 am

Bill, you don't really believe that Chet Atkins, one of the great masters of the guitar, needed a capo as a "crutch", or that he had substandard instruments that required him to use one, do you? With all due respect, my friend, those two propositions are preposterous. (Of course, it is very likely that some other people would use a capo as a crutch because they haven't learned all the chords yet in different positions, or don't have the strength to hold down barre chords; I'm sure that happens, but with Chet Atkins? Naaaah... )

It's much more plausible that he wanted to play an arrangement of something that used open strings in a certain key.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 9:30 am

Jim,

Without advanced notice as to why Chet would be seen using gimmickries, I'm ignoring any such notion that he was in one of his more serious moods. I'd sooner think that he was clowning around with whomever. He could be serious about matters that matter, and go straight into humorous details at a moment's notice. After speaking with him, I quickly realized that many incorrect notions about publicized beliefs were just that in essence. He could set the record straight better than most, and didn't hesitate in doing so. I'm not prepared to abandon the thought that a poor action guitar, like the millions in circulation, might be a consideration in the final analysis.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 16 May 2012 9:55 am

Bud,
Perhaps a mandolin would serve the needs of those who have a penchant to hear higher pitches.

Actually Bill, I play a tiple to serve those high pitched needs. Mine is similar to this one- http://www.vintagemandolin.com/59martint17_166749.html
I DO NOT use a capo on this instrument. I have to tough it out when playing # or b keys!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 May 2012 9:57 am

Bill Hankey wrote:...I'm not prepared to abandon the thought that a poor action guitar, like the millions in circulation, might be a consideration in the final analysis.

I see. So you choose to believe that Chet Atkins, at the height of his career, was still too poor to afford a high-quality instrument and had to settle for an inferior instrument, similar to the "millions" that were available on the mass market...

Did I get that right, Bill?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 May 2012 11:39 am

Jim,

It isn't a money matter, but rather a matter of principle. I prefer to remember Chet galloping up and down the fretboard, like there is no tomorrow. I also hold your steel guitar prowess in high esteem. I don't feel comfortable becoming argumentative with old friends.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 May 2012 11:51 am

What? You want me to leave you alone with these people who don't even know you or like you, like I do? Well, okay Bill...

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Do Some Instrumentals Become Stumbling Blocks?

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