When you play the note D Third Fret with a down stroke, let the motion of your wrist carry the pick past string number 1 without any contact. Now the pick is positioned to make an up stroke on beat number 4, and you have maintained your alternate picking direction when you play E Open. As you become more familiar with alternating your picking direction, you will learn how far to pivot your wrist so the pick is positioned for the alternate strike.

This introduction from 'Roses from the South' is written in 3/4 meter and begins with a series of longer note values. As you work on this piece: Check that you are holding the dotted half notes for their full, three count value. And remember that there are no rests in this music, which means that a note only stops ringing just as the next note is played.

This song is written in the key of A Minor and favors notes in the lower pitch range. This music contains extensive stepwise motion in 3/4 meter. The chorus section shows simultaneous parts in two voices, so pay attention to finger placements on the fretboard when you are working on the chorus.

Let's get warmed up with the note D Open by playing the first two measures of this small piece of music. Try to sight read this example, keeping up with the recorded music on your first try.