Five Techniques to Make Guitar Arpeggios Sound Amazing (Even If You Can't Play Fast Yet)

Insert Breaks into Your Arpeggio Patterns

Repeating the same arpeggio up and down can quickly become monotonous. Instead, break each ascending and descending section into separate licks to keep things interesting.

How to Implement Breaks

1. Segment Your Arpeggios: Divide your arpeggios into smaller, distinct sections.
2. Alternate Variations: Use both ascending and descending variations to maintain interest.

For a practical demonstration, check out this video at 33 seconds.

Use Different Numbers of Strings in Your Arpeggios

Avoid the trap of playing three-note-per-string patterns repeatedly. Mixing up the number of strings used in your arpeggios adds variety and texture to your playing.

Three-Step Exercise

1. Create a Progression: Choose a series of arpeggios, such as:
   • C minor
   • E flat major
   • G major
   • Ab major
2. Vary String Patterns and Inversions: For example:
   • C minor 2nd inversion (3-string pattern)
   • E flat major root position (4-string pattern)
   • G major root position (6-string pattern)
   • Ab major 1st inversion (5-string pattern)
3. Experiment with Variations: Develop ten different variations using different string lengths and inversions.

Generate Excitement by Inserting Silence

Adding silence at various points in your arpeggios can create tension and excitement, making your playing more dynamic and engaging.

Tips for Inserting Silence

• Vary the Placement: Change where you insert silence to keep the listener engaged.
• Adjust the Duration: Experiment with different lengths of silence.

For a visual guide, watch this video about sweep picking.

Expand and Harmonize Your Arpeggios Using Inversions

Maintaining interest in your arpeggios is possible by expanding them with inversions and harmonizing the notes.

Steps to Expand and Harmonize

1. Lengthen Patterns with Inversions: Use inversions to extend the arpeggio pattern.
2. Harmonize Notes: Record inversions separately and layer them to create harmony.

To see this in action, view the video starting at 1:52.

Integrate These Ideas Together

To keep your arpeggios interesting, it's crucial to incorporate a variety of techniques. Even the most exciting ideas can become dull if overused. Combine the methods discussed in this article to create unique and engaging arpeggios.

For more creative arpeggio ideas, check out this free sweep picking resource.

Interesting Stats About Guitar Playing

• Guitar Popularity: According to a 2020 survey by Fender, 16 million Americans picked up the guitar during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 72% of new players being between the ages of 13 and 34 (source).
• Practice Time: A study by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) found that the average guitarist practices for about 1.5 hours per day (source).
• Learning Methods: 58% of guitarists prefer learning through online tutorials and videos, while 42% opt for traditional methods like books and in-person lessons (source).

By integrating these techniques and insights, you can make your guitar arpeggios sound incredible, even if you're not yet playing at breakneck speeds.