Chords are usually played to accompany a melody, which is sung or played by another instrument (e.g., guitar, sax, keyboards, etc). The chords can be strummed using a pick (playing all six strings together), or played fingerpicking style (one string at a time). The next example is the melody for Ode to Joy, which you have already learned in lesson 2. Apply fingerpicking patterns 1 and 2 to the chords shown above the melody.
When you play the accompaniment to any song, you can choose to either strum or fingerpick the chords. Some songs sound best with a strummed accompaniment while others sound best with a fingerpicked accompaniment. Experiment with both methods for all the songs in this book and make this experimentation your basic approach to any new song.
Fingerpicking Pattern 2
Try using an alternating bass when playing the fingerpicking accompaniment. You can select any bass note on the 6th, 5th or 4th string depending upon which one sounds the best. Generally you should start on the root note. Remember to always hold the complete chord shape.
Fingerpicking Pattern 2
Now try using fingerpicking pattern 2 to accompany this traditional Welsh song. Notice the use of the turnaround progression here. When there are two chords per bar, the fingerpicking pattern begins on the root of the each chord – one on the first beat of the bar, and one on the third beat.