About This Lesson: Guitar Noise welcomes the long-awaited return of Peter Simms to our pages! Peter’s been very busy with performing and teaching this past year but wanted us to know he’s still thinking of the Guitar Noise readers. So much, in fact, that he wrote this song (and the accompanying lesson) just for us!
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Instructor: Peter Simms
Hello Gutrar Noise Friends! I bet you thought I fell off the planet!
Nope… I accidentally let my Domain Name www.petersimms.com expire and someone purchased it before I could buy it back. Thus, this person or corporation is using my name and IT’S NOT ME. Please be aware! At this point you can e-mail me at petersimms.guitarman@gmail.com
Enough said, let’s play!
I wrote a somewhat easy finger-style song for you this time. You will need to lower your 6th string to a “D”. This is called Drop D Tuning. Thus, the Bass strings are D(6)-A(5)-D(4). This makes it easy to create a nifty bass line for the chord “D” without fingering any strings. They can ring together while you’re playing on the treble strings 1-2-3. This song takes full advantage of this opportunity. Be sure to pluck the bass strings with only your thumb. It will sound better.
Download mp3 (Right-click and “Save as”)
Before trying this one, take a listen to the MP3 link on this page. Remember to “right click” on it and use the “save target as” selection. This way you can download the MP3 to your computer and read it while you look at the lesson online.
Most of the finger-picking in Waterfalls is done with your thumb, index, and middle finger. There is a point where you will probably use your ring finger. This is at the end of each of the first three measures on the second line of the song. I’m assuming you know what repeat signs are (the fat/skinny lines with the two dots). If not, be sure to repeat the sections that are between them. When you listen to the MP3 while looking at the music, you will know what I mean.
I think that about covers it. You will need to give it a try! If you would like a Quicktime Video of me playing this song, e-mail me and just ask! I’ll e-mail one your way.
Have Fun!
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