In this lesson we will play rhythms on different strings.

Now that we have learned some rhythm basics, we will apply these to the open strings.

We will use numbers to indicate different strings, for instance if you see this:



It would mean to play quarter notes on strings 1, 3, 2 and then 1 again.

And it will sound like this:





Notice that the note heads are shaped like Xs. Soon we will be using regular note shapes.

Keeping all this in mind, have a listen to the following example:





Notice how four quarter note beats are played before the music starts. This is the count-off and it helps you know when to start after pressing the play button.

Now get into good playing position, press play, and try to play along.

Before you get too far along, look at this example:



This is the same music, but with two new symbols, the downstroke and the upstroke.



These symbols tell you which direction to move the pick - down or up.

The easy way to tell the difference is to think of containers. The downstroke sign will spill downwards, the upstroke, upwards.

Notice how most of the time down and up alternates. Sometimes this doesn't happen, like at the beginning of the third measure. Here two downstrokes had to follow each other because it is also important to play a downstroke on the first beat of a measure (which is sometimes called the downbeat).

Practice the piece now with correct down and upstrokes.

Here are a few more examples for you to work with. Practice these until you are comfortable with moving the pick to different strings and playing both upstrokes and downstrokes. When you have finished these exercises you are ready for the next lesson.