Learn how to play chords with individual notes using alternate and directional right-hand picking techniques, moving through various chords and chord progressions.

Right-Hand Arpeggios

In this chapter, we will combine our chord progressions with our single string alternate picking patterns to create new sounds using our open chords. By combining single string picking patterns with open chords, we can create chord Arpeggios which means to play each note of the chord one note at a time instead of strumming each chord. Practice the following exercises to combine your chord switching with single string right-hand picking techniques.

Directional Picking Technique and Alternate Picking Technique

Alternate Picking

When picking arpeggio patterns, there are two types of picking that we can use to accurately perform different open chord arpeggios. The standard approach to arpeggios is to employ the same technique as our strumming patterns (take a look at the course on strumming basics for more information) in that notes on downbeats will be played with downstrokes, and notes on the upbeat will be played with upstrokes.

Directional Picking

Another approach to performing open chord arpeggios is to use directional picking which means that we will follow the direction of the strings in order to determine the picking direction of the arpeggio. This means when we move from a lower string to a higher string, we will use a downstroke, and when we play a higher string moving to a lower string, we will use an upstroke. This method is used when frequently alternating strings or repeating an arpeggio pattern that moves in a single direction. Note the example below using directional picking.

Arpeggios and Root Notes

When changing chords, and playing arpeggios in the right hand, it is important to start the arpeggio from the root note of each chord, and continue the pattern on the root note string for each chord in the progression.

In the example below, there is an arpeggio pattern over a C major, D major, A minor, and G major chord. Note that each chord in the sequence starts the arpeggio on the tow root note of each chord, starting on the 5th string of the C chord, the 4th string of the D chord, and the 6th string of the G chord. It is very important to establish the root of the rest of the arpeggio harmonic context of each chord when playing arpeggios.

Here is the arpeggio exercise using the alternate picking technique.

Here is the same exercise using the directional picking technique.

Arpeggio Exercise #1

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #2

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #3

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #4

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #5

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #6

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.

Arpeggio Exercise #7

Practice the following arpeggio exercise to get comfortable with different rhythmic variations and picking directions. Each exercise has a specific pattern using either directional or alternate picking. Practice this exercise slowly, watching the right hand until it can be plated accurately without watching the right hand.