# Guitar/Arpeggios and Sweep Picking

## Introduction

The word **arpeggio** (ar-*peh*-jee-oh) is Italian for \"like a harp\".
It is a common technique for playing chords on the harp. To play an
arpeggiated chord on the guitar, pick each note of the chord slowly, one
string at a time. You can play arpeggios with a plectrum or fingerstyle.

### Exercise 1

Below is a simple arpeggio study using these chords:

```{=html}
<div style="font-family:'Courier New'">
```
File: A major chord for guitar (open).png\|**A major** File: D major
chord for guitar (open).png\|**D major** File: E major chord for guitar
(open).png\|**E major**

```{=html}
</div>
```
!Sixteen Bar Arpeggio Study in A
major.png "Sixteen Bar Arpeggio Study in A major"){width="800"}\
==Sweep picking== **Sweep picking** is a more specialized technique,
occurring most often in metal. It involves playing a fast arpeggio with
a special technique: when switching from one string to the next, mute
the note currently ringing by lifting the fretting finger. A sweep can
become a rake if notes are muted incorrectly. Rakes can sound nice, but
they are not sweeps. Remember only one note can ring out at a time or it
won\'t sound good. It takes practice and it helps to start slow and
build up speed.

Below is example tablature of sweep picking:

!Sample tablature for sweep
picking

This is not the only way to notate sweeps. Small sweeps can be indicated
with grace notes or even the arpeggio notation with the word \"sweep\"
(or, less correctly, \"rake\") written above.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a more classical approach, arpeggios must follow a distinct pattern
of notes depending on the chord/scale we\'re playing. This is similar to
playing chords note-by-note on a piano (not on a guitar).

The basic chords (the major and minor triads) are composed of three
tones: the first, the third and the fifth note of the scale (major or
minor, depending on the chord type).

For instance, the C major scale is: C D E F G A B. So, according to the
1-3-5 principle, the C major triad consists of C, E and G. Note that the
C major chord on a guitar also consists only of these three notes but
they are not always in the 1-3-5 order. Now, while playing \"classical
arpeggios\", you would not just pick around the chord randomly but you
would play C, E, G, then C, E, G an octave higher, etc. This is what is
called an arpeggio scale. You can play around it, up and down with
complete freedom or just use the 1-3-5 pattern as a bass line. This
method can also be used with more complex chords (sus4, maj7, etc.) but
then it follows a pattern different from 1-3-5 structure, depending on
the chord type. In all, this is a very simple but effective method for
composing.

While playing guitar, this might not appear as interesting as picking
\"full\" six-string chords but it can be used to give your music a
classical edge. It also has a more lead quality to it than using full
chords and requires more skill. Playing fast arpeggios like these is
sometimes used in metal music with very satisfactory results. The
\"classical arpeggios\" are in no way better than the \"harp like
chords\" and it is ultimately up to the player/composer to choose what
is best for the song in question.

## External links

