The final stop on our sixth string excursion is Study No.9 "Desert Song."
4 Queens Hotel and Casino | Las Vegas is the nearest I've gotten to the Mojave desert and the Wild West. | Peter Kun Frary
Desert Musings
Since I was a mere runt, movies about the desert and Wild West fascinated me. Those reverb soaked soundtracks immortalizing the rough and tumble wide open spaces stuck in my ear, especially The Good, Bad and the Ugly. Years later, the shifting sands, tumble weeds and cactus bubbled up in my miniature, Study No. 9 "Desert Song."
Study Tips
Melody
This melody falls on the bass strings, so use your thumb to pluck the notes.
Pickup Notes
Desert Song begins with a pickup on beat three. Since it is in 4/4 meter, count 1-2 and begin on the third beat.
Tied Notes
Each phrase of Desert Song ends with tied notes. It is unlikely you will be able to feel the length of a five-beat duration, so count it out!
Tempo
Once you can play the melody smoothly, gradually work up the tempo to allegro (120+ BPM).
Listen to the Track
Begin by getting the sound of Desert Song in your ears:
Study No. 9 “Desert Song” | Melody only
Play the Melody Now!
Practice the melody of Desert Song until smooth. Play along with the audio track or video to help shore up your rhythm.
Once the melody of Desert Song flows smoothly, begin working on the chords.
Chords
The chords for Desert Song are not demanding: slow harmonic rhythm and you already know the chords.
P-i-m-i 2X
Like Rose, Desert Song has a bass heavy melody. Thus, we use the P-i-m-i 2X arpeggio on the treble strings so the chords don't obscure the melody.
P-i-m-i 2X Arpeggio Pattern
Here's how the P-i-m-i 2X arpeggio looks in staff notation and tablature:
P-I-M-I 2X Arpeggio | Use p-i-m-i on the treble strings only.
Need a review of the P-i-m-i 2X arpeggio? Watch the P-i-m-i 2X demo for Rose. Don't want to use the P-i-m-i 2X arpeggio? The Jamaican strum makes a great substitute.
Melody and Chords Together
In the demonstration video, Grace plays melody while Peter supplies chord backup. The mellow P-i-m-i 2X arpeggio is used the first time through. On the repeat, the punctuated syncopation of the Jamaican strum adds a wee taste of the tropics.
Study No. 9 “Desert Song” | Frary Guitar Duo (melody and chords)
•••
Desert Musings
Study Tips
Melody 
Pickup Notes
Tied Notes
Tempo
Listen to the Track
Play the Melody Now!
Chords
Melody and Chords Together
