In this session we learn notes on the second string, explore new symbols, and take on a new piece, Lullaby.
Honolulu Slumber | Peter Kun Frary
Notes on the Second String
Learn the notes on the second string—the B string. The B string is the second nearest string to the floor.
Memorize the B, C and D notes by saying their names aloud as you play them.
Lullaby's Melody
A lullaby is a cradle song: a mellow tunesungto lull a child to sleep.
New Symbols
Lullaby introduces two new durational symbols: the dotted note and the tie.
Dotted Notes
A dot placed to the right of a note head increases duration by fifty percent—half the original value of the note. Study the normal and dotted notes below (beat values for quarter note meters):
In today's piece, Lullaby, the dotted half note (3 beats) is used.
Tied Notes
The tie, a curved line connecting notes of the same pitch, combines two or more notes into one sustaining tone.
To play a tie, pluck the first note and hold it for the combined value of the tied notes. Don’t pluck the second note in the tie. Let it continue ringing.
In the example below, the tied dotted half notes sustain for six beats. Why six beats? A dotted half note by itself is worth three beats and, when tied to another dotted half note, yields a six beat sustain: 3 + 3 = 6.
Lullaby | First two lines
Sharp ()
Notice a sharp symbol () at the beginning of the staff in Lullaby? Ignore it. It has no bearing on your notes or chords. Why is it there? It indicates Lullaby is in the key of G major—useful information for those wishing to play outside the written notes and chords. We'll explore key signatures and accidentals later in the course.
Listen to the Track
Watch the video to help get the sound of Lullaby in your ears.
Lullaby (Study No. 5) | Frary Guitar Duo
Play the Melody Now!
Lullaby uses three notes on the second string: B, C and D. Be mindful of the triple meter feel (strong-weak-weak). As you play the melody, alternate between middle and index (m-i) and keep a steady tempo while counting beat numbers: 1-2-3.
Practice Lullaby until smooth and rhythmic. Read the music—don't just copy finger movements in the video. Play with the audio track to help shore up your rhythm.
Lullaby | Melody only. Play along with me!
Once the melody is securely under your fingers, work on playing the chords.
Lullaby Chords
You know most of Lullaby's chords from prior pieces. There are only two new chords to learn: Dm6 and D7.
Simple Strum 3/4
Once the new chords are under your fingers, practice Lullaby with the Simple Strum 3/4: one strum per measure on beat one—strum-2-3 | strum-2-3 | etc.
Simple Strum 3/4 "How to" for Lullaby | Tutorial by Peter Kun Frary
In the first video, the Frary Guitar Duo uses an arpeggio instead of Simple Strum 3/4. You can still play along with us: the Simple Strum 3/4 blends in perfectly.
If you wish to learn the arpeggio pattern we play (P-i-m-a-m-i) in Lullaby, it's introduced on the next page along with Cuckoo.
Lullaby | Melody and chords
Need Help?
Do you need help? Don't be shy about asking questions. For guitar issues, make an office or Zoom appointment and we'll help you figure it out.
Notes on the Second String
Lullaby's Melody
Dotted Notes
Tied Notes
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Listen to the Track
Play the Melody Now!
Lullaby Chords
Answers
