Sometimes a song does not begin on the first beat of the bar. Any notes which come before the first full bar are called lead-in notes (or pick-up notes). When lead-in notes are used, the last bar is also incomplete.
The notes in the lead-in and the notes in the last bar add up to one full bar. When you are playing chords do not strum until the first full bar, after the lead-in notes.
The next song contains first and second endings. The first time you play through the song, play the first ending, ( Z ), then go back to the beginning. The second time you play through the song, play the second ending ( X ) instead of the first.
Rhythm Pattern
This example incorporates a lead-in and first and second endings. It also features the use of quarter rests in bars 2 and 4.