What You Should Know
What You Will Learn
- How ties work
- How to read metronome markings
- Nearer, My God, To Thee
How to Read Notes on the Sixth String
E, F, and G on the Low E String
E on the Sixth String
E is the pitch of the open sixth string. This note is found on the space below the third ledger line:
F on the Sixth String
F is on the first fret of the sixth string. Play F with the first finger.
Fretting F
F is on the third ledger line below the treble clef staff:
G on the Sixth String
G is found on the third fret of the sixth string. Play this note with the third finger.
Fretting G
G is on the space below the second ledger line below the staff:
Metronome Markings
Metronome markings indicate the tempo of the music. There are two parts of a metronome marking: a note value and a number. The note value specifies which note corresponds to each click of the metronome. The number indicates how many beats per minute.
Below is an example of a metronome marking that indicates there are 120 quarter notes per minute:
Ties
A tie is a curved line between two notes of the same pitch. Ties indicate that the rhythmic value of the notes should be combined. For example, the value of the half note and quarter note are combined in the example below. The notes in a group of tied notes are only played one time and should be held for the full value of all the notes combined.
Exercises
Exercise 1: E, F, and G in Half Notes
Exercise 2: Notes on All Six Strings Ascending and Descending
Exercise 3: Mixed Rhythms
Melodies
Blues in E
The 12-bar blues below includes a metronome marking. Try reading this with the metronome set at 100. If this is too fast, you may use a slower setting on your metronome.
Nearer, My God, to Thee
