Notes on the 1st String
D Note
To play the D note, pick the open 1st string.
E Note
Play the E note with the second finger of your left hand just behind the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
F Note
Play the F note with the third finger of your left hand just behind the third fret of the 1nd string.
As a general rule:
- Play notes on the first fret with your first finger.
- Play notes on the second fret with your second finger.
- Play notes on the third fret with your third finger.
This example uses notes D, E and F on the first string, along with other notes you have learned.
The Whole Note
This is a whole note. It lasts for four beats. There is one whole note in one bar of * time.
The Whole Rest
This is a whole rest. It indicates one bar of silence. A whole rest in * time indicates four beats of silence.
The following example makes use of both the whole note and the whole rest. Remember to keep counting regardless of whether a note or a rest occurs in the music.
Rhythm Pattern
A riff is a pattern of notes that are repeated. The following example contains a two bar riff played twice. The example is then repeated and ends with a whole note (G note).
Rhythm Pattern
F Major Chord
F
To play the F chord, place all four fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum all four strings.
This traditional song uses all the notes you have learned so far. The accompaniment contains an F chord in bars 7 and 15.
Rhythm Pattern
