Benjamin Ryan’s love for music began at the age of seven when he picked up the trumpet. Now, at 72, the musician has transformed his lifelong passion into an innovative invention that promises to change the way people play the guitar.
About a decade ago, Ryan felt inspired to make a difference in the guitar world. Since then, he has dedicated his time to developing a device that grants users access to over 4,000 chord configurations and around 1,000 additional sound patterns. He named this revolutionary device the FreeStyle capo.
“I’ve created a musical tool that attaches to the neck of the guitar and changes the length of the strings instead of the tension,” Ryan explained. “This enables you to create open and alternative tuning systems.”
A traditional capo clamps down across the guitar fretboard, raising the pitch of all the strings evenly. Ryan’s FreeStyle capo, while using the same principle, allows users to control which strings are altered, giving them more flexibility in sound.
Though simple in design, the FreeStyle capo’s potential is best understood by seasoned guitarists. It allows them to play familiar notes while producing fresh and unique sounds, opening up vast creative possibilities for musicians eager to experiment with their music and songwriting.
“I imagine a future where guitarists are no longer restricted by standard tunings or traditional capo limitations,” Ryan said.
The FreeStyle capo features six adjustable arms that rotate on an axle and can adapt to different guitar neck widths. Unlike a standard capo, which affects all the strings, each arm can engage or leave out specific strings, creating the potential for endless configurations.
Ryan has worked tirelessly with a small group of engineers and supporters to bring his idea to fruition. After years of development, the first 10 prototypes are now being tested by experienced guitarists on both the East and West Coasts. “They’re being tested by seasoned players to see how it performs, what they can do, and their overall experience with it,” Ryan shared.
His dedicated team of about six people is currently working on producing an additional 50 prototypes. With partners across the U.S., Ryan has built a network of musicians eager to support and help launch his invention.
Despite his passion, Ryan admits that bringing the FreeStyle capo to life hasn’t been easy. “I didn’t have an engineering degree or any background in manufacturing,” he said. “I just came into this as someone with ideas who loves music.”
In the early 1970s, Ryan attended City College, where he focused on music. “I started playing the guitar when I was 12, and I’ve been a musician ever since,” he said. “Music is therapy and a creative outlet; it’s a universal language.”
Ryan continued his education at Antioch University in Santa Barbara before moving to New York and New Orleans to pursue his musical ambitions. Despite his travels, Ryan considers Santa Barbara his true home.
Creating the FreeStyle capo has been a decade-long journey filled with challenges. “It’s been an uphill battle, with funding and outside sources slowing down the process,” Ryan said. “But this is a labor of love and a vision. I have to be persistent because there’s something important here, and I’m willing to sacrifice for it.”
Ryan highlights production, awareness, and funding as his biggest obstacles. However, with four patents, successful prototypes, generous investors, and unwavering determination, he is confident that the FreeStyle capo will be available to the public in the coming months.
Driven by his goal to build a community and share his vision with the world, Ryan aims to revolutionize the guitar-playing experience. His invention opens new doors to musical creativity, expression, and innovation.
“As the CEO and inventor, I live, breathe, and worry about this—it’s my baby,” Ryan said. “I’ve had corporate jobs before, but this gives me purpose. I love this work so much that it doesn’t even feel like work.”
