Arpeggio's, please help

Hey guys,

Sorry to be a bother but I am trying to learn some things atm, and one thing I never bothered to learn is Arpeggio's. I learnt a bit in lessons a couple years ago but I don't remember anything.

I did search's, nothing..

Could someone please Explain to me what an arpeggio is, how it works, and why we have them etc etc etc

Thanks alot

Chris

An arpeggio is the notes of a chord played in order. So an A Major arpeggio would be A, C#, E - the first, third and fifth degrees of the scale.

Like Ren has mentioned, an arpeggio is just the notes of a chord, played one at a time, in order. It can be seen in a number of different types of playing.. a couple of obvious ones would be "sweep picking" and "finger tapping".

Here's some stuff on Arpeggio shapes (theory)
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=31

Here's some stuff on sweep picking (practical)
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=408

Thanks alot guys, I'll take a look at those pages now.

:p :)

Hi there-

If you're looking for particular techniques for playing aprpeggios, I have a lesson on a fingerstyle arpeggio pattern in 6/8 time you might want to check out. Here's the link:

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10805

Have fun! - Lisa

Originally Posted by: christheoneCould someone please Explain to me what an arpeggio is, how it works, and why we have them etc

First look at this lesson on inversions so you can start to visualize all the shapes possible to use in arpeggios:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=148

Then look at this one on triads to see the "basic unit" of the chord that will get built into arpeggio patterns:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=389

Then look at this "starter kit" on arpeggio sweeping:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=408
(Thanks for the mention light487! :) )

Finally here's where it all comes together in the advanced application:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=211

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes!

by the way.....what is the correct way to pronounce "Arpeggio"?
I say: (ar-peg-ee-oh), don't know if thats right though.

Pronunciation: ar pedge ee oh

The word comes from Italian.
L'arpa - the harp
arpeggiare - to play harp
arpeggio - playing of the harp

I had always found the best way to learn is to totally relax it and play the sixth string with the thumb, relax the hand completely, then play the third string with the index finger, then relax completely again. Really stop playing and relax completely.... After that, you play the the second string with the middle finger, after which a complete stop with total relaxation follows, then play the first string with the ring finger, stopping again with total relaxation. Go back to the middle finger on the second string, then the index finger, ending again with the thumb on the sixth string as you had begun.

Do this exercise REALLY slowly allowing time to stop inbetween the notes for a total relaxation. By doing this, you are training the fingers where to go. After doing this for like 20 minutes or so, you should be playing this arpeggio, after which it is only a matter of learning different combinations of the same thing. Hope you understood all that. It should help you further.