Arpeggio Exercises
Work through these in order. Use Music Buddy's repeat control to loop each example until the chord changes feel automatic.
Turn on Tab for fingering and Chords to keep the harmony in view while you play.
Ex. 1 — Root on Every Change
Outline I–IV–V–I in C. Each measure starts on the chord root—clear, mechanical, good for learning where chord tones live.
X:1
T:Root Arpeggios — I-IV-V-I
K:C
M:4/4
L:1/8
"C"C2 E2 G2 c2 | "F"F2 A2 c2 f2 | "G"G2 B2 d2 g2 | "C"c2 e2 g2 c2 ||
Ex. 2 — Smooth Connections
Same progression, but connect with the nearest tone when the chord changes—like the previous lesson.
X:2
T:Smooth Connections — I-IV-V-I
K:C
M:4/4
L:1/8
"C"C2 E2 G2 c2 | "F"A2 f2 c2 A2 | "G"d2 B2 g2 d2 | "C"e2 c2 g2 e2 ||
Compare Ex. 1 and Ex. 2. Ex. 1 teaches the map; Ex. 2 teaches musical lines.
Ex. 3 — Real Progression (I–vi–IV–V)
The "50s" progression in C: C–Am–F–G–C. Five chords, smooth connections throughout.
X:3
T:I-vi-IV-V-I — Smooth Arpeggios
K:C
M:4/4
L:1/8
"C"C2 E2 G2 c2 | "Am"e2 c2 a2 e2 | "F"a2 f2 c2 a2 | "G"d2 B2 g2 d2 | "C"e2 c2 g2 e2 ||
When this feels easy, try passing tones between arpeggio notes, mixed rhythms, or starting each chord from the 3rd or 5th instead of the root.
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Practice tip: Record a simple backing track (or use a looper), play only Ex. 2's connection style for one chorus, then add pentatonic fills between chord-tone targets.
Further viewing
- (Creative Guitar Studio)
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