Example Four: Parka Life

We're on to Example Four from Indy Part Two. In this lesson, we're learning a section from Parka Life, which we'll eventually cover towards the end of this course.

Overview

This is our first look at:

• Playing single notes
• Blending in open major chords

Chord Focus

The major chord we're using is C major, which we reviewed in the previous example. It comes in on the last bar, on beats three and four.

Preparation

The notes before the C major chord should be fairly comfortable to you by now. I think the rhythms are quite simple:

• No rests
• Frets are quite near each other

We should be quite comfortable with the previous three bars.

Specifics of Bar Four

In bar four, we see:

• Playing the first fret on the B string (which is also the only fretted note in that C chord).

How to Play

1. Play that note, ensuring you're right up on your fingertips.
2. Play the note for two beats, then strum down from the G string, holding it for a further two beats.

Note: This is the main thing we need to watch out for. Everything else is pretty standard for us.

Breaking It Down

Now we're getting to the level where we can read this and make good sense of it. Here's the breakdown:

• Bar One:

  • Open G string for two quarter notes
  • First fret on the B string (C)
  • Open B string again
  • Suggested technique: Alternate picking (down, up, down, up)

• Bar Two:

  • Second fret on the G string (A note)
  • Played twice as half notes (1, 2, 3, 4)

• Bar Three:

  • Open G followed by D on the B string (fret 3), and the open B.

• Final Bar:

  • Fret one on the B string (C) for two beats
  • Then play the chord on top.

Key Points

• Up high on your fingertips so that the open E string can ring out.

Cool! I'll give you some time to work on that, especially the last bar, and then we'll give it a go for the track.