If you listen to the lesson recordings, you will hear that first I draw the chords across till I reach the melody note. In the 2nd verse I use two fingers and my thumb. The thumb plays the bass note of the chord while the middle finger plays the melody. The first finger plays the neighbouring string creating a harmony. Just imagine that your first and second finger are taped together but remember to hold on to the chord for as long as possible. In the third verse I add in an arpeggio. I am not inventing anything new, I am simply working the notes of the chord that I am holding to fill any gaps formed as long notes in the melody decay.
Largo; form the New World Symphony No.9 by Dvorak.
The first note is held a shade longer than normal, 1½ beats.
The next note is therefore rushed slightly giving ½ beat.
The dash means, hold for an extra beat.
You can hear the exact timing on the listen page.
G20. 23 23 - G20. 32 30 -
D32. 20 23. 20 D32 - - -
G20. 23 23 - G20. 32 30 -D32. 20 32. 30 G30 - -
------------------------
C10. 13 13 - D12 23 C10 -
C10 13 D12 23 C10 - - -
C10. 13 13 - D12 23 C10 -
C10 13 D12 23 C10 - D23 -
-----------------------
G20. 23 23 - G20. 32 30 -
D32. 20 23. 20 D32 - 33 -
G20. 23 23 G13. 15 17 -
Am15. 13 15 10 G13 - - - x2
Am15 - 13 - 15 - 10 - G13 - - -
G = 52 63 13 played from 6th string.
D = 32 12 23 played from 4th string.
C = 21 42 53 played from 5th string.
Am = 45 35 25 15 played from 5th string.
Use either one finger to hold all 4 notes
or one finger for each note.
To listen to these lessons click here.
“The Search,” from the album, “Which Way?” by John David Coupland © 2003
You will need to decide which Am or E chord version to use. If the normal chord does not allow you to reach the melody note, try the alternative shape.
Play slowly.
Am32 42 32 10 G23 - - 21 20 F21 32 20 21 G20. 32 30 42
Am32 42 32 10 G23 - - 21 20 F21 32 20 21 E20 – E10 –
Am32 42 32 10 G23 - - 21 20 F21 32 20 21 G20. 32 30 20
F21 - - 21 G20 21 20 30 Am32 21 G20 21 Am32 - -
---------------------------------------------
10 Dm11 23 23 21 Dm23 - -
10 11 Am10 21 21 20 Am21 - -
23 10 E23 21 20 21 E23 21 20 21
Am10 21 20 21 Am32 - -
10 Dm11 23 23 21 Dm23 - -
10 11 Am10 15 17 18 Am15 - -
15 E14 11 10 23 21 20 32 31
Am32 42 F21 20 E32 31
Am32 42 32 20 F21 23 E10 14 Am15 - - -
Hear the timing on by clicking here. This track was not recorded specifically as a lesson so it gives a better picture of what these pieces should sound like as a finished work.
Am = 21 42 32 OR 45 34 25 15 using either one finger for each note or one finger to cover all four.
G = 52 63 13
F = 21 11 32 43
E = 31 52 42 OR 43 14 25 (D shape on 4th)
Dm = 11 32 23
In the first verse there are two quick notes 21 & 20. I play these using a technique called the PULL OFF. This is achieved by playing the 21 then quickly removing your finger from the note. It also helps if you give the string a little sideways and upwards push with the finger as you remove it. There is therefore no need to actually pluck the 20, it should sound automatically. Two notes for the price of one!
To listen to these lessons click here.
Now check out lessons by our contributer Harpaxe.
