The root note of a chord is the note after which the chord is named, e.g.:
In the previous example the thumb (p) played the root note of each chord as the bass note. To make picking patterns sound more interesting, the bass note can alternate between the root note and another note in the chord.
The following example uses the same chord sequence as exercise 287 but each chord lasts for one bar and is played using alternating bass notes. The fingerpicking pattern does not change and the thumb (p) plays the bass notes. As with any song or chord progression, always hold the complete chord shape even though you might not pick every string.
Remember to use the pivot when changing from C to D7.