A method and apparatus of forming a root bead in a gap between spaced ends of at least one workpiece. The gap includes an open root. A metal cored electrode having a metal sheath and core materials is used to for the root bead in the open root. The core materials include little or no flux agents. The metal cored electrode is advanced at a given wire feed rate toward the open root to weld the ends together by at least partially filling the open root in a first weld pass. A welding current having a controlled waveform is used. The waveform includes a succession of welding cycles each having a short circuit portion and a metal the metal cored electrode and to cause the metal cored electrode to melt and transfer to the ends in the open root to form a root bead. The formed root bead has little or no slag on the upper surface of the root bead. A shielding gas is used to at least partially protect the molten metal in the open root from the atmosphere.