This lesson introduces you to an arpeggio pattern and a new song, Cuckoo.
Melody Tips
Cuckoo 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
Cuckoo | Frary Guitar Duo
Play the Melody
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, learn the the chords.
Chord Tips
Simple Strum 3/4
You learned the chords in prior pieces. Begin by practicing the chords with the simple strum 3/4: one thumb strum per measure on beat one: strum-2-3.
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio (optional accompaniment)
Once chord transitions are smooth, you have the option of playing them with an arpeggio pattern. Arpeggios are 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. The P-i-m-a-m-i arpeggio is optimized for triple meter. Start by practicing the pattern on the open strings:
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 until it becomes a reflex. Once smooth, practice it with Cuckoo's chords. P-i-m-a-m-i is played once in each measure and should be a flow of even eighth notes: 1 & 2 & 3 &.
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 it will soon be yours!
Study Question
How many beats does the dotted half note receive in measure 4 of Cuckoo? [answer below]
Play the Chords Now!
Practice the chords until smooth. Play along with the audio track or video to help shore up your rhythm.
Melody Tips
Listen to the Track
Chord Tips
Simple Strum 3/4
P-i-m-a-m-i Arpeggio (optional accompaniment)
Study Question
Play the Chords Now!
