In this lesson you will learn five more patterns that you can use for songs in 4/4 time. Mastering the concept and feel of these patterns will give you an endless range of possibilities in your playing.
Begin by reviewing standard right-hand fingering. (Use your thumb to play strings 4, 5 and 6, your index finger to play the 3rd string, your middle finger to play the 2nd string and your ring finger to play the 1st.) Be certain to use this fingering consistently for these patterns!
In order to get the most from your learning experience and have the easiest time, practice the patterns on the following page in order, making sure that you can play one with fluidity before starting the next. Practicing the first exercise will get you into the feel of an alternating bass. Maintain that feel throughout the following five exercises. The thumb should keep a steady pulse, striking a bass note on every beat.
All of the examples given use the C chord, so they have the 5th string (the root of the chord) as the principle bass note. In order to play the alternate bass note (G) on the 6th string while holding down a C chord, you can move your 3rd finger from the C on the 5th string at the appropriate time and then move it back in time to play the C. Some people prefer to keep all of the notes down simultaneously, as shown in the chord diagram in pattern #1. Feel free to do it either way, but keep in mind that you will have more flexibility and less hand tension if you use the first method.
Choose the root of the chord for the bass string whenever possible. For example, in an E chord choose the 6th string for the principle bass, since the chord tone on that string is E, which is the root of the chord. Use the 5th string for the bass on an A chord, the 6th for a G chord, and so on. For patterns that include the 4th string, you may need to change this rule when playing a chord that has a 4th string root, such as the D chord, in order to avoid repeatedly (and boringly!) playing the 4th string. In such a case, use the 5th string as the principle bass instead of the 4th.
Example below shows how using the appropriate bass works when changing from the C chord to the G chord. Although this may seem complicated at first, your ear will guide you, so you might be able to skip the explanation altogether!
