Session 4: First Melodies

Duration: 50 minutes

Until now, you have been strumming chords — playing multiple strings at once. Today you switch to playing one note at a time: melodies. You will learn to pick single strings accurately and play your first real song — the iconic opening riff of “Come As You Are” by Nirvana. This is the moment guitar starts to feel like music.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

1. Pick individual strings accurately with a downstroke
2. Read TAB for single-note melodies (one note at a time, not chords)
3. Alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes for single notes (alternate picking)
4. Play the “Come As You Are” main riff at a slow, steady tempo
5. Fret notes on strings 1 and 2 at frets 0–3

Materials Needed

• Your Saga SF-600C-BK guitar
• A guitar pick
• A clip-on tuner or phone tuner app
• A metronome
• Reference: Picking Accuracy

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Segment 1 — Warm-Up and Stretch (5 minutes)

Finger Stretches

1. Finger spread — Spread, hold 5 seconds, relax. 3 times.
2. Wrist circles — 5 each direction per wrist.
3. Finger touch — Thumb to each fingertip and back. 5 times per hand.

Tune Your Guitar

Tune all six strings (EADGBE).

Chord Warm-Up

Play the “Two-Chord Rock” from Session 3 — Em for 2 measures, Am for 2 measures, repeat. 60 BPM, 8 measures total. This keeps your chord skills warm while we focus on something new.

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Segment 2 — Technique Focus: Single-String Picking (10 minutes)

Picking vs Strumming

When you strum, your pick sweeps across multiple strings in one motion. When you pick a single note, you aim the pick at one specific string and play only that string. The motion is smaller and more precise.

Downstroke Picking Exercise

Hold the pick normally. Rest your strumming hand lightly on the bridge of the guitar (the wooden piece where the strings are anchored). This gives your hand a stable base.

At 60 BPM, pick each string individually with downstrokes:

e|---0---0---0---0---|
B|-------------------|
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|-------------------|
E|-------------------|
  1   2   3   4

That is string 1 (high E), open, played 4 times. Now continue through all six strings:

Exercise — one string at a time, 4 beats each:

e|---0---0---0---0---|-------------------|-------------------|
B|-------------------|---0---0---0---0---|-------------------|
G|-------------------|-------------------|---0---0---0---0---|
D|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|

D|---0---0---0---0---|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|---0---0---0---0---|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|---0---0---0---0---|

Target: Every note should ring clearly. If you accidentally hit a neighbouring string, adjust your pick angle. The pick should pass through the target string and come to rest against the next string (toward the floor). This is called a rest stroke — your pick “rests” on the adjacent string after playing.

Alternate Picking

So far you have only used downstrokes. Alternate picking means alternating between a downstroke (D) and an upstroke (U):

• Downstroke (D): Pick moves toward the floor (from string 6 toward string 1)
• Upstroke (U): Pick moves toward the ceiling (from string 1 toward string 6)

Practice on string 1 (high E), open, at 60 BPM:

Pick: D   U   D   U   |  D   U   D   U   |
Count: 1   &   2   &   |  3   &   4   &   |



e|---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---|

Each downstroke falls on the beat (1, 2, 3, 4). Each upstroke falls on the “and” between beats. This gives you eighth notes — two notes per beat.

What it should feel like: Your wrist rocks back and forth in a small, relaxed motion. The downstroke and upstroke should feel like one continuous, swinging movement — not two separate actions.

Practice alternate picking on strings 1, 2, and 3 — one measure per string at 60 BPM.

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Segment 3 — New Learning: Melody Playing and TAB Reading (15 minutes)

Fretting Notes for Melody

You already know how to fret a string (from Session 2). For melodies, you will fret different notes on different strings in sequence.

Let us practise some notes you will need for the song. Play each note 4 times at 60 BPM:

Note	String	Fret	Finger	Sound description
Open E	1 (high E)	0 (open)	None	Bright, ringing
F	1	1	Finger 1 (index)	One step up from E
G	1	3	Finger 3 (ring)	Two steps up from F
Open B	2	0 (open)	None	Slightly darker than open E
C	2	1	Finger 1 (index)	One step up from B
D	2	3	Finger 3 (ring)	Two steps up from C

Melody Exercise — Walking Up and Down

This exercise moves between strings 1 and 2, using open strings and frets 1 and 3:

e|---0---1---3---1---|---0------------|
B|-------------------|-------0---1---3|
G|-------------------|----------------|
D|-------------------|----------------|
A|-------------------|----------------|
E|-------------------|----------------|
     1   2   3   4       1   2   3   4


Pick: D   D   D   D     D   D   D   D

Play at 60 BPM, all downstrokes. Each number is one beat. Focus on:

• Clean fretting (no buzzing)
• Smooth transitions between frets
• Each note ringing for its full beat

Reading Melody TAB

In melody TAB, you see one number at a time (not stacked numbers). Read left to right — each number is the next note to play.

e|---0---2---0-----------|
B|---------------3---0---|

This means: Play string 1 open, string 1 fret 2, string 1 open, string 2 fret 3, string 2 open. Five notes, one after another.

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Segment 4 — Song Workshop: “Come As You Are” — Nirvana (15 minutes)

Song Information

Song: “Come As You Are” Artist: Nirvana Album: Nevermind (1991) What you are learning: The main guitar riff (the repeating melody that opens the song and continues throughout). This is one of the most recognisable riffs in rock music, and it lives on just two strings.

Tempo: Start at 60 BPM (the original is approximately 120 BPM — you will work up to that over time) Picking: Alternate picking (D U D U) for smooth, even notes

Complete TAB — Main Riff

The riff is played on strings 4 (D) and 5 (A). All notes are eighth notes (two per beat).

"Come As You Are" — Main Riff (Simplified)


Picking: D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U    D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U
Count: 1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &    1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



e|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D|---0--0--0--0--2--2--2--2------|---0--0--0--0--2--2--2--2------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|


Picking: D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U    D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U
Count: 1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &    1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



e|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D|---2--2--2--2--0--0--0--0------|---2--2--2--2--0--0--0--0------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|

Finger guide:

• Fret 0 on string 4: Open D string — no fretting needed
• Fret 2 on string 4: Press with finger 2 (middle finger) just behind fret 2 on the D string

How to Learn This Riff

Step 1 — One note at a time (no metronome): Play each note slowly. Say the fret number aloud: “zero, zero, zero, zero, two, two, two, two.” Make sure each note rings clearly.

Step 2 — Downstrokes only at 40 BPM: Set your metronome to 40 BPM. Play one note per click. This is very slow, but it lets you focus on clean fretting and accurate picking.

Step 3 — Alternate picking at 50 BPM: Now use D U D U picking. Each click of the metronome is one beat. You play two notes per click (one on the beat, one on the “and”). This is the correct rhythm.

Step 4 — Work up to 60 BPM: Once clean at 50, increase to 55, then 60. Do not jump ahead until each tempo is clean and steady.

The Full Riff Pattern

The complete riff repeats in a 4-measure cycle. Here is the full pattern:

Measure 1: Measure 2:


e|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D|---0--0--0--0--2--2--2--2------|---0--0--0--0--2--2--2--2------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|


Measure 3: Measure 4:


e|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
D|---2--2--2--2--0--0--0--0------|---2--2--2--2--0--0--0--0------|
A|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|

Measures 1–2: Open, open, open, open, fret 2, fret 2, fret 2, fret 2 (repeated)

Measures 3–4: Fret 2, fret 2, fret 2, fret 2, open, open, open, open (the reverse)

The riff goes up (0 to 2) for two measures, then back down (2 to 0) for two measures, then repeats.

What it should sound like: A hypnotic, repeating pattern with a slightly eerie quality. The open D string and the note at fret 2 (E) create a simple but memorable melody. When you play it at 120 BPM eventually, it will sound exactly like the record.

Performance Notes

• Keep your alternate picking steady and even — every note should be the same volume
• When moving from open to fret 2, place your finger slightly early (during the last open note) so you are ready
• The original song uses a chorus effect pedal. Your acoustic will sound drier but the melody is identical
• Let each note ring into the next — do not cut notes short by lifting your finger too early

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Segment 5 — Review and Practice Plan (5 minutes)

What You Learned Today

• Single-string picking technique (downstrokes and alternate picking)
• How to fret notes on strings 1, 2, and 4 at frets 0–3
• Alternate picking rhythm (D U D U = eighth notes)
• The main riff of “Come As You Are” by Nirvana

Common Mistakes

1. Hitting neighbouring strings when picking — Anchor your hand on the bridge. Use small, controlled pick motions. The pick should travel through the target string and rest against the next string.
2. Uneven alternate picking — Downstrokes and upstrokes should sound equally loud. Beginners often play upstrokes too softly. Focus on making the upstroke as strong as the downstroke.
3. Lifting the fretting finger too early — When playing fret 2 followed by open (0), wait until the pick has played the last fret-2 note before lifting your finger. Early lifting creates a gap in the sound.
4. Losing the rhythm during the turnaround — The switch from measures 2 to 3 (where the pattern reverses) is where most beginners stumble. Practise just those two measures on loop.
5. Not counting the “ands” — For alternate picking, count “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.” The “ands” are as important as the numbers.

Self-Check Questions

1. Can you pick string 4 four times in a row without accidentally hitting string 3 or string 5?
2. Can you play the “Come As You Are” riff at 50 BPM with alternate picking and every note ringing clearly?
3. Do your downstrokes and upstrokes sound equally loud?
4. Can you still play Em and Am cleanly? (Do not neglect your chords — play each once to check)

Practice Plan (Daily, 20–25 minutes)

Block	Time	Activity
Warm-Up	3 min	Finger stretches + tune your guitar
Chord Maintenance	3 min	Em (4 strums) → Am (4 strums), alternate at 65 BPM, 8 measures
Picking Exercise	4 min	Alternate picking on each string (1 through 6), 4 beats per string at 60 BPM
Come As You Are	10 min	Practise the riff: start at your comfortable tempo and work toward 60 BPM. Focus on the measure 2→3 turnaround
Free Review	2 min	Play anything from today that felt hard — give it one more try

Steel-string note: Your fretting hand is now pressing individual strings — this puts more concentrated pressure on single fingertips than chord playing. If a fingertip turns white or goes numb, stop immediately and rest for 2 minutes. Sharp, stinging pain means stop for the day.

Guitar Tip — Saga SF-600C-BK

The Saga SF-600C-BK has steel strings that produce a bright, clear tone ideal for single-note melodies. When playing the “Come As You Are” riff, you will notice the D string has a warm, focused sound that cuts through well. This is the dreadnought body at work — it projects single notes with clarity. If you find the string buzzes when fretting at fret 2, make sure your finger is pressing firmly and positioned close to the fret wire.