Lesson Example Three: New Melody

In example three, we've got another melody for you to learn.

Notes Breakdown

• The same notes as before:
  • Open E string
  • Third fret (G) on the E string
  • Open A
  • Second fret (B) on the A string

So, there are four notes in total.

Rhythm Changes

You'll notice a change in rhythm:

• Bar One:

  • Every note is a quarter note.
  • We have four beats: 1, 2, 3, 4.

• Bars Two and Four:

  • We have two half notes lasting for two beats each:
  • 1, 2, 1, 2.

Bar One

In bar one, we have:

• Two open E strings
• Moving to the third fret on the G
• Finishing off with the open A string.

This is how it sounds in bar one.

Bar Two

In bar two, when we change to the half notes, we have:

• The second fret (B) for both notes.

It's a good idea to keep our finger pushed down, applying pressure to the fret. Otherwise, you'll hear the note kind of disappear.

I'll give you an example of this:

• If I lift my finger, the note disappears.

So, you want to be squeezing the whole time.

Important Technique

Especially if the notes are beginning to get longer with the half notes and whole notes coming in, we want to keep a good amount of pressure so the notes ring out and sustain clearly.

Bar Three

In bar three, we have that B again:

• Two B's (second fret on the A string)
• Moving to the open A
• Finishing with the third on the E string.

So, we're shifting between the two strings, finishing off with the open E string as half notes in the final bar.

Set Position

As always, we want to keep our fingers around the frets we're playing.

• When I've got the open strings, I'm not letting go of the guitar.
• I'm not moving my left hand; I'm staying set, ready for the second fret on the A string and the third on the E string.

Practice

So nice and slowly, that melody all the way through.

Take some time getting this together; it's getting trickier with more to remember. If it takes a little bit longer, don't worry.

Give it a good go, and I'll see you in a second, ready with the backing track.