This lesson introduces an arpeggio pattern and a folk song, Cuckoo.
La Bourrée in the Redwoods | Peter Kun Frary
Cuckoo's Melody
There are no new notes in Cuckoo. However, it uses both the first and second strings, a total of six notes. Cuckoo is in triple meter and uses the dotted half note duration studied in the prior lesson. Use your middle and index fingers (m-i) to pluck the notes of the melody.
Listen to the Track
Watching the video will help you absorb the sound and feel of the melody.
Cuckoo | Frary Guitar Duo
Play the Melody Now!
Practice the melody of Cuckoo until smooth and rhythmic. Once the melody flows, play with the video. Aim for a tempo of about 96 BPM—a sprightly andante.
Cuckoo | Melody only. Play along!
Once the melody is securely beneath your fingers, work on the chords.
Chord Tips
Simple Strum 3/4
You know the chords from prior pieces. Begin by practicing the chords with the Simple Strum 3/4: one thumb strum per measure on beat one: strum-2-3 | strum-2-3 | etc.
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio (optional accompaniment)
Once chord transitions are smooth using Simple Strum 3/4, you have the option of playing Cuckoo's chords with an arpeggio pattern. An arpeggio is created when the notes of a chord are played one at a time. In other words, your left-hand holds a chord as if strumming, but your right-hand plucks the tones one note at a time, usually in a repeating pattern.
How to Play the P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio in Cuckoo | Peter Kun Frary
While chords may be arpeggiated in any song, arpeggios are especially effective for ballads and slower melodies like Cuckoo.
We will learn a pattern called the P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio. This arpeggio works in triple meter (3/4).
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio | Practice on the open strings first (4X).
For P-i-m-a-m-i , the thumb plucks the lowest bass note of the chord (root) while the i-m-a fingers play the third, second and first strings respectively.
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio Step by Step
Right hand thumb (p) plucks the lowest bass note of the chord (root)
Index (i) plucks the third string
Middle (m) finger plucks the second string
Ring (a) plucks the first string
Middle (m) finger plucks the second string
Index (i) plucks the third string
Repetition
Play P-i-m-a-m-i slowly and evenly on the open strings repeatedly until burned into your reflexes. Once smooth, practice the arpeggio with Cuckoo's chords. The rhythm of P-i-m-a-m-i should be played as a flow of even eighth notes: 1 & 2 & 3 &. Finally, P-i-m-a-m-i is played once in each measure of Cuckoo.
Which Bass note?
How do you know which bass note to play? The thumb plays the lowest indicated string on the left side of the chord diagram. For the Am chord, that's the 5th string. Watch the video below for further explanation of the thumb's bass role.
Here's what P-i-m-a-m-i looks like in staff notation and TAB (Cuckoo):
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio | You may substitute Am7 for Am.
Cuckoo | Chords only ( P-i-m-a-m-i). Play along!
Arpeggios Too Hard?
If P-i-m-a-m-i is too difficult, don't worry. Continue using Simple Strum 3/4 for Cuckoo. Meanwhile, keep practicing P-i-m-a-m-i and eventually it will be yours!
Study Question
How many beats does the dotted half note receive in measure 4 of Cuckoo? [answer below]
Cuckoo's Melody
Listen to the Track
Play the Melody Now!
Chord Tips
Simple Strum 3/4
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio (optional accompaniment)
Study Question
