“Summertime” is the next step after “Springtime.”
You’re still in 6/8 time, but now you’re adding the D string and using two fingers instead of one. That alone makes it feel like a real upgrade.
Because there’s more movement, pay attention to your left-hand setup. Keep your fingers curved and close to the strings so the G and B strings ring cleanly. It’s completely normal for beginners to struggle with notes buzzing or muting at this stage — that just means your hand is learning control.
When you make the big jump up to the 9th fret, look where you’re going before you move. Don’t stare at your fingers while they travel. Set your eyes on the target fret, move confidently, and land. Hesitation creates slop.
Just like before, work toward memorizing the pattern. Once it’s in your hands, play it with a drum beat or metronome and lock into the pulse of 6/8 — two big beats per measure.
Clean first. Then confident. Then musical.
