Thank you for making this! Im just getting started on guitar, and it cleared up some of my confusion about chords versus chord shapes. I just found your channel today and subscribed!
Hi Andy I enjoyed the video. Was listening to Norman Blake recently and heard slow train through Georgia , it’s a great song it would suit your style as a melody flat pick. Enjoying the videos thanks
Hi, having read this late last night, I watched a couple of YT videos of it, and yes it is a song and simple progression that I could cope with. I'll investigate further. Thanks.
Great information. I will now add to the confusion. I play a baritone 8 string guitar that I tune D to D with medium gauge strings. This makes my 8 string baritone the same tuning as your 12 string that you have lowered 1 step. I did this because I can no longer play a large 12 string neck but still want the jingle.
Thanks, Andy. I never thought to much about chord shape and capos as long as I played in a key that fit my voice. Lately, I have been playing with other instruments and have to modify my tuning to fit. Luckily, I have good sounding guitars, so they still sound good capoed up to the 7th fret if needed (especially if it is tuned down a full step).
Guitars tuned down a whole step sound more resonant and therefore sweeter to my ears. Since the strings are so much easier to bar chord and bend, one can play longer before muscle fatigue sets in. Another benefit, the strings last longer. Get with the band and play the same chord shapes with the guitar tuned in the key of E and the transition is nearly painless.
Hi Patrick, horses for courses of course, but if you are suffering muscle fatigue then that may be signalling either a need for a set up or maybe a matter of overly aggressive fretting.
@@SillyMoustache The latter is most likely since I learned to play sixty years ago on a Stella followed by my grandfather's Montgomery Wards archtop, both with strings well above the fretboard so I developed bad habits that sneak back on occasion. Even with my strings set low, I'll catch myself playing with a death grip.
@@patricklundquist9869 Hi again,and thereby the potential for trigger fingers, Carpal tunnel syndrome and other RSI injuries. The only instruments that I down tune are my 12 strings and it is more for a different sound that ease of playing. Thanks for making contact.
Hi please could you explain the the subject of zero fret and also in your opinion the best strings to fit to a dobro resonator guitar thank you from Ian
Hi Charlie, the zero nut is merely an alternative method of building with the correct string height at/before the nut. The nut then becoming just a string spacer. popular with German arch-tops in the '50s. Dobro strings ? D'addario EJ42s sometimes with a .017 on 1st.
@@SillyMoustacheHi thank you very much for your reply, I love your videos and your a breath of fresh air compared to some of the so called experts that I find on utube. I’ve been playing and singing pubs and small venues for more years then I care to remember (I’m in my 70s now)I’m far from the best guitarist on the planet I’ve managed to get by on afew chords and a good capo, I’ve developed a style with my right hand which is across between Travis picking, Mother Maybel Carter and strumming, don’t ask me to explain it I’ve been doing it so long it’s second nature to me and it’s kept me in work. Your never to old to learn which is why I love your videos, plus I get to see all your wonderful guitars. Please keep your videos coming and I for one will keep watching them thank you Charlie.
Mr. Moustache, do know of a capo that will fit behind the nut on a 12-fret 1.75" HD-28vs? I'm considering that guitar but my Elliot won't fit over the volute.
@ctruet5: I have used an Elliot and a Kat Eyz capo on my Martin D28 VTS 12-fret without issue. The stirrup capo needs to be opened up a bit more to go over the nut and clear the volute at an angle. When putting the guitar in a stand, I loosen the capo to rest down around the 5th to 8th fret. Hope that helps.
Hi CT, I don't. My 12 fretters are mostly 12 fretters and slotted headstocks, and never felt the need to keep a capo behind the nut. My trousers have at least four pockets, and I prefer to perform with a chair or stool at my side with my pick, capo tuner beside me. I'd suggest that you focus on the guitar, and not the capo.
@SillyMoustache maybe I ought to have clarified my "audience" may act uniquely as most times they are memory care residents (they have some form of diagnosed dementia). All my gear needs to be attached, sitting or standing. It's not a problem if there are family members. Time between tunes needs to be short as some folks only have 30-second memories. They get engaged with a song, so as long as you're singing, fine. I previously used "clamp on the headstock" capos, but that had been a challenge with slotted headstocks. Thanks Andy
Hi, yes, I know of his work and have seen a couple. They are extremely well made and sounding. There is a 12 fret dread going for about £12k. I wouldn't know where/or how to find him. Andy
Thank you for making this! Im just getting started on guitar, and it cleared up some of my confusion about chords versus chord shapes. I just found your channel today and subscribed!
Hi Ethan, glad it helped. If you need any more help, I do offer one-to-one mentoring via Zoom. Regards, Andy
@ Great to keep in mind, I’ll reach out about mentoring after looking through some more of your videos!
Hi Andy I enjoyed the video. Was listening to Norman Blake recently and heard slow train through Georgia , it’s a great song it would suit your style as a melody flat pick. Enjoying the videos thanks
Hi, having read this late last night, I watched a couple of YT videos of it, and yes it is a song and simple progression that I could cope with. I'll investigate further. Thanks.
Playing a 12-string tuned down to "B-standard" is extra fun - your chords are all moved "up" one string, so to speak!
I used to have a baritone 12 string with 26.5" scale the I tuned to B . Long gone now, almost impossible to keep in tune.
Great information.
I will now add to the confusion. I play a baritone 8 string guitar that I tune D to D with medium gauge strings.
This makes my 8 string baritone the same tuning as your 12 string that you have lowered 1 step.
I did this because I can no longer play a large 12 string neck but still want the jingle.
Hey,whatever works! Thanks for watching Dale.
Thanks, Andy. I never thought to much about chord shape and capos as long as I played in a key that fit my voice. Lately, I have been playing with other instruments and have to modify my tuning to fit. Luckily, I have good sounding guitars, so they still sound good capoed up to the 7th fret if needed (especially if it is tuned down a full step).
Hi Tex, I don't understand why you would need to tune down in order to capo at the 7th fret or vice versa, but whatever works for you.
@SillyMoustache it's a 12-string 12-fret, standard length. So tuned down as a 12-string. Capo 7 would be Capo 5 on a standard tuning.
another good video.
Thanks again!
Guitars tuned down a whole step sound more resonant and therefore sweeter to my ears. Since the strings are so much easier to bar chord and bend, one can play longer before muscle fatigue sets in. Another benefit, the strings last longer. Get with the band and play the same chord shapes with the guitar tuned in the key of E and the transition is nearly painless.
Hi Patrick, horses for courses of course, but if you are suffering muscle fatigue then that may be signalling either a need for a set up or maybe a matter of overly aggressive fretting.
@@SillyMoustache The latter is most likely since I learned to play sixty years ago on a Stella followed by my grandfather's Montgomery Wards archtop, both with strings well above the fretboard so I developed bad habits that sneak back on occasion. Even with my strings set low, I'll catch myself playing with a death grip.
@@patricklundquist9869 Hi again,and thereby the potential for trigger fingers, Carpal tunnel syndrome and other RSI injuries. The only instruments that I down tune are my 12 strings and it is more for a different sound that ease of playing. Thanks for making contact.
Hi please could you explain the the subject of zero fret and also in your opinion the best strings to fit to a dobro resonator guitar thank you from Ian
Hi Charlie, the zero nut is merely an alternative method of building with the correct string height at/before the nut. The nut then becoming just a string spacer. popular with German arch-tops in the '50s. Dobro strings ? D'addario EJ42s sometimes with a .017 on 1st.
@@SillyMoustacheHi thank you very much for your reply, I love your videos and your a breath of fresh air compared to some of the so called experts that I find on utube. I’ve been playing and singing pubs and small venues for more years then I care to remember (I’m in my 70s now)I’m far from the best guitarist on the planet I’ve managed to get by on afew chords and a good capo, I’ve developed a style with my right hand which is across between Travis picking, Mother Maybel Carter and strumming, don’t ask me to explain it I’ve been doing it so long it’s second nature to me and it’s kept me in work. Your never to old to learn which is why I love your videos, plus I get to see all your wonderful guitars. Please keep your videos coming and I for one will keep watching them thank you Charlie.
Mr. Moustache, do know of a capo that will fit behind the nut on a 12-fret 1.75" HD-28vs? I'm considering that guitar but my Elliot won't fit over the volute.
@ctruet5: I have used an Elliot and a Kat Eyz capo on my Martin D28 VTS 12-fret without issue. The stirrup capo needs to be opened up a bit more to go over the nut and clear the volute at an angle. When putting the guitar in a stand, I loosen the capo to rest down around the 5th to 8th fret. Hope that helps.
Hi CT, I don't. My 12 fretters are mostly 12 fretters and slotted headstocks, and never felt the need to keep a capo behind the nut. My trousers have at least four pockets, and I prefer to perform with a chair or stool at my side with my pick, capo tuner beside me. I'd suggest that you focus on the guitar, and not the capo.
@SillyMoustache maybe I ought to have clarified my "audience" may act uniquely as most times they are memory care residents (they have some form of diagnosed dementia). All my gear needs to be attached, sitting or standing. It's not a problem if there are family members. Time between tunes needs to be short as some folks only have 30-second memories. They get engaged with a song, so as long as you're singing, fine. I previously used "clamp on the headstock" capos, but that had been a challenge with slotted headstocks. Thanks Andy
Good video.
Thanks Brad!
Being from the UK, have you heard of a gentleman named Ralph Bown? He makes amazing guitars out of York. Would love to get my hands on one eventually
Hi, yes, I know of his work and have seen a couple. They are extremely well made and sounding. There is a 12 fret dread going for about £12k. I wouldn't know where/or how to find him. Andy
I tune down a half step i find it easier to sing great video btw
Thanks Nick.
Thank goodness we don't use capos on mandolins. 😁 George in Montana
I've seen it happen!
Yes, I've seen it
And on banjos also. Keep smiling, George.