You're right, Don. When I got my first guitar, I also bought a book on playing folk guitar. I just couldn't seem to get all those fingers down at once. So I bought a book of classical guitar, learned the scales, and accompanied songs by putting each finger where it had to go and picking a pattern. After a while, I could play the chords in one go.

(Did you notice me saying up above that I developed a new F chord so I could drop 'Beautiful Savior' from D to C? That was my classical method at work. )

But no matter how many other people are okay with a capo, I find it uncomfortable and unnatural. Some people can't whistle, some can't type, and some can't play with a capo. I had a choir director once who couldn't trill an R. Accept it that different people are different.

Also, I just don't need another complication on Sunday morning.

Some time ago, Bernard said to use heavier tension and tune down. Since then, Crazy Little Woman has asked for more info about tension. I'd like to hear more about that, too.

If I could tune down the little guitar a half step, then drop songs a step, the final product would be down 1.5 steps, which would be just about right. (The little guitar is only 21.5 inches from nut to bridge.) It's easier to haul up the staircase, and if a hobo steals it, it didn't cost much.

(Bee-dubla, I know you said such guitar should be tuned high. Sorry about that.)

As for some suggestions offered by others, as Joe Offer says, "Do not respond to trolls."