Well, poppagator and tootler, I use a partial capo quite a lot. I like the sound. It sounds a bit like DADGAD. If I put an ordinary capo at the second fret and the partial capo is then on the fourth, the "B" type chord (F shaped) is now at the 9th fret. But to get the "open chord" sound it means I need to fret the top E string (at C#) with my first finger, let the B string ring, and fret the G and D with my second and ring fingers. Then the A string is left to ring, and I need to get my thumb over the top to fret the fat string.

That leaves my wrist bent back and touching the heel. Shift it up a semitone and it's very very difficult.

Likewise I can more or less hit an F sharp, vocally (not necessarily prettily). But a G is really really hard work, and if it comes round every verse in a 6 verse song, I know by the end of the song that I have pounded my voice more than a bit.

If you don't believe me PM the Barden of England, or Growler, or Kev the Clogs, or Melodeonboy, or TDL, or Woodsie, or Kenneth Ingham, who see me do it regularly. Breton Cap saw it happen at Tenterden last weekend, likewise the rest of Travelling Folk in attendance (and Synbyn).

If I'm jamming in and am the instrumental accompaniment to a singer-guitarist, I'll usually use the mandolin and capo to play in D, G, or C or F, for preference.