Step 1 Write Down the Melody

Lesson 3/79 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Fingerpicking Method

Step 1 Write Down the Melody

For the purpose of arranging, all melody notes are written with the stems pointing upwards. This is done to visually distinguish the melody from the accompaniment, which has the stems pointing downwards.

The key of A minor has been selected for two reasons:

For ease of playing:
a) All notes can be found in the first position.
b) All chords can be played as open chords (i.e., open strings make arrangements easier to play).
For ease of arranging. Most of the melody notes are on the first three strings, leaving the other three strings available for bass notes and harmonies.

When you are doing your own arrangements make sure that the melody is in an easy key (e.g., C, G, Am, Em) and that most of the notes can be played on the first three strings.

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Gary Turner and Brenton White

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Step 1 Write Down the Melody