Alternation Fingers
You must alternate your i (index) and m (middle) fingers when playing single melody lines. In the following exercise the i finger plays the E note in the 1st and 3rd bars, the m finger plays the E note in the 2nd and 4th bars.
After the first E note is played the i finger should rest on the second string until the m finger is ready to pick the E note in the second bar. The i finger should move from the second string at the same time the m finger picks the E note, which then comes to rest on the second string until the i finger is ready to play the E note in the third bar, and so on. The fingers should give the impression of "walking" across the string.
Metronome Symbol
This is the symbol for a metronome . It appears beneath the staff, next to the 'count' numbers, which indicate how to count the time. Large blue numbers represent a count or beat where a note is to be played, while smaller grey numbers are used when notes are either held or not played at all.
This exercise is also four bars long except half notes are used. The E note is played on the 1st and 3rd beats of each bar. Remember to alternate between your i and m fingers
Quarter notes are used in this exercise. A note is played on each beat of the bar. With this exercise you should particularly feel the "walking" movement with the alternating fingers.
F Note (1st String)
The note on the first fret of the first string is an F note. Use the first finger of your left hand to fret this note. This F note is written on the top line of the staff.
The next exercise features the F note and uses both whole notes and half notes.
