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This technique requires excellent thumb and finger independence. In Alternating Bass the thumb propels the rhythm along by alternating most commonly between root and octave (Fig. 1), root and 3rd (Fig.2), and root and 5th (Fig. 3). In the interests of absolute clarity, let’s explain what we mean by root and 3rd, 5th, octave etc.

To do that, we need to make a brief excursion into harmony. Don’t worry! If you can count from 1 to 8 you'll be fine. In Western music a scale has 8 notes, or 8 degrees. These are also known by the numbers 1 to 8, with 1 being the root or keynote. In the scale of C, 1 is obviously the note or chord of C. Count up 3 and you arrive at the note

E, so this is your 3rd. Count up 5 and you get to G, the 5th. By the time you get to 8 you are back to C, only this time you are an octave higher. This table should help:

Key of C

C (1) D (2) E (3) F (4) G (5) A (6) B (7) C (8)

Key of G

G (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D (5) E (6) F # (7) G (8)

This numbering system is consistent across all keys, major and minor. Incidentally, numbers are also used to denote chord progressions. Hence if someone asks you to play a 1, 4, 5 in the key of G, a quick look at the table above will tell you that the chords you need are G, C and D. By the way, you will often see these numbers written as Roman numerals: I, IV, V (1, 4, 5).

These alternating thumb strikes usually occur on the beat, while your fingers pick a pattern around and in between the thumb beats. Let me say here and now, loud and clear: YOUR THUMB IS NOT GOING TO WANT TO DO THIS! Mastering this technique is a process that requires patience, persistence and practice. Rather like an Olympic runner has to train his or her body to withstand the rigors of competition, you are going to have to train your thumb to perform. But look on the bright side; it’s not as tiring as running around a track.

This Alternating Bass technique is the bedrock of all kinds of acoustic picking styles. For instance, you can’t play ragtime guitar properly without it. Alternating Bass crops up in all kinds of folk, rock, jazz and country music, too. So it’s a technique that is well worth getting to grips with. Grab your guitar and let’s get started. Remember the fingerstyle rule of thumb regarding which fingers play which strings. The thumb (p) picks the E, A and D strings, the index finger (i) minds the G string, the middle finger (m) takes care of the B string, while the ring finger (a) plucks the high E string.