The Note A
This A note is written in the second space of the staff.
Cover the top two holes with the first and second fingers of your left hand to produce the note A.
The following example combines the note A with the note B. Listen carefully to the notes as you play them and try to produce a strong, even tone. Pay attention to the breath marks and get in the habit of breathing each time you see one.
The Quarter Rest
This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence. Do not play any note. Remember that small counting numbers are placed under rests.
This example makes frequent use of the quarter rest and once again moves between the notes B and A. Be sure to count mentally as you play. There are no breath marks written above the notes in this example. You are free to breathe anywhere a rest appears.
The Note G
This G note is written on the second line of the staff.
Cover the top three holes with the first three fingers of your left hand to produce the note G.
Here is an example which makes use of the note G. Notice the two possible directions for the stems of the note B here. The stem direction makes no difference to the way the note is played.
