Notes on the First String
Place your left hand fingers on their tips, immediately behind the frets and press hard on the strings to avoid buzzing or deadened notes.
The following examples use quarter notes (crotchets) 3 , worth one count each.
Play the first note rest stroke with the i finger, the second note with m and then alternate the fingers throughout the example. Watch the music, not your fingers.
Play these examples slowly at first, until you can produce the right sound, and then gradually increase the tempo. Count out loud and use a metronome to help you keep time.
The Half Note
This is a half note. It has a value of two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of * time. One half note is equal to two quarter notes.
The Half Rest
A rest indicates a specific period of silence in music. This one is a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence. When you see this rest, count for two beats without playing any note.
This example contains quarter notes, half notes and half rests. Count out loud as you play, use your metronome, and remember to alternate your right hand fingers regardless of the length of the notes.
Right Hand Variations
Once you can play a piece beginning with the i finger, it is important to reverse the order and practice beginning with m as well.
Once you are comfortable with these, use m and a, and also the reverse (a and m).
By practicing everything this way, you will develop a strong confident right hand technique and will be free to concentrate more on the music and less on what your fingers are doing.
