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Notes on the 2nd String
The B Note
To play the note B, pick the open 2nd string.
The C Note
Play the C note with the first finger of your left hand just behind the first fret of the 2nd string.
The D Note
Play the D note with the third finger of your left hand just behind the third fret of the 2nd string.
Note Stems
- Notes written above the middle line of a staff usually have their stems going down.
- Notes written below the middle line of the staff usually have their stems going up.
- The stem for the B note can go up or down.
The Half Note
This is a half note. It lasts for two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of 
time.
The Half Note Strum
This is a half note strum. It lasts for two beats. There are two half note strums in one bar of time.
In the count the larger blue numbers indicate when a note or strum is played. The smaller grey numbers indicate to hold the previous note or strum until the next blue number. The following examples use all of the notes and chords you have learned so far.
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4 |
The chord symbols and strums have been written above the staff. The melody line (notes) have been written on the staff.
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4 | (Lead Part Notes) |
Video
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4 | (Rhythm Part Chords) |
Video
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5 | Ode to Joy |
This song is the melody to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Instead of writing the strumming above each bar of music, it is easier to write it as a Rhythm Pattern. This indicates which strumming pattern to use in each bar throughout the song. In bar 8 there are two chords in the bar. Each one receives two counts. Remember to use the slide finger when changing between the G and D7.
Rhythm Pattern
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5 | Ode to Joy (Lead Part Notes) |
Video
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5 | Ode to Joy (Rhythm Part Chords) |
Video
C Major Chord
C
To play the C chord place your first, second and third fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum all six strings.
The Pivot
When changing between the C and D7 chords the first finger does not move. The note played by the first finger (a C note) is common to both chords. The second and third fingers move to their new position and the first finger acts as a pivot. Use the slide finger when changing between G and D7. Always end a chord progression by strumming the first chord.
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6 |
The following chord progression contains the three chords you have learned so far. There are four quarter note strums in each bar as indicated by the rhythm pattern.
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6 |
Video
G Seventh Chord
G7
To play the G7 chord, place the first, second and third fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum all six strings.
The Common Time Signature( 
)
This symbol is called common time. It means exactly the same as .
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7 |
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7 |
Video
Rests
A rest is a period of silence. Small count-numbers are placed under rests.
The Quarter Rest
This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence.
The Half Rest
This black box is a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence.
If a rest comes after you have played a note, you must stop the note sounding. To do this, lift your finger off the fret but keep it lightly touching the string. To stop an open string sounding, lightly touch it with any finger of your left hand.
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8 | Aura Lee |
This song Aura Leeuses all the notes and chords you have learned so far. It also contains quarter and half rests. Remember to count as you play to help you keep time.
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8 | Aura Lee (Lead Part Notes) |
Video
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8 | Aura Lee (Rhythm Part Chords) |
Video
Remember to use the slide finger and pivot techniques
- Slide Finger – when changing between G and D7 use the slide finger.
- Pivot – when changing between C and D7 use the first finger as a pivot.
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