Alternate Bass Note Picking
In the previous examples the same bass note (the root note) is picked on the first and third beats. Another way of playing bass note picking is to alternate the bass notes. This rhythm is commonly used in Country music. You can alternate between any bass notes that are in the chord shapes. As long as you hold the chord shape while picking the bass notes it will sound correct. Certain bass notes will sound better with certain chords. The best notes to use are the ones that sound good to your ear. It is usual to pick the root note on the first beat followed by a different bass note on the third beat. Use alternate bass note picking in the following chord progression. You can also experiment playing different bass notes than the ones suggested.
Rhythm Pattern
For the C and C7 chords alternate the bass from the 5th string to the 4th string.
For the F and Dm chords alternate between the 4th string bass note and the 5th string bass note.
For the G and G7 chords alternate between the 6th string bass note and the 4th string bass note.
Practice each chord shape separately at first and experiment using alternate bass note picking on other progressions.
Tablature
Tablature is a method of indicating the position of notes on the fretboard. There are six "tab" lines each representing one of the six strings on the guitar.
When a number is placed on one of the lines, it indicates the fret location of the note e.g.:
This indicates the seventh fret of the 5th string (an E note).
This indicates the 3rd string open (a G note).
To familiarize yourself with tablature try the following simple example that uses the open first string and the notes on the first and third frets of the same string.
The next example combines notes on the second and third strings. Strict attention should be made to the timing. Listen to the recording to assist with this.
All the natural notes in the open position are shown in the following example.
Tablature is an easy system of notation to play single notes on the fretboard and requires no knowledge of music.
It is possible to play the melody to a song with the use of tablature. Banks of the Ohio uses notes on the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. This tune is also a 16 bar Country progression.
Rhythm Pattern
The Streets of Laredo is a 16 bar Country progression in three four time. The song begins with a pick-up note on the third beat of the bar. A pick-up note is a note that occurs before the first complete bar of music. You will also notice that the final bar contains only two beats, which acts as a "balance" to the pick-up note. Do not start strumming until the first beat of the first complete bar (the second note in the tune).
Rhythm Pattern
