Lesson 2: Arpeggios
An arpeggio is notes of a chord played separately. Let’s shed a little light on the process I used to build the lick in Lesson 1 – The Lydian Mode. You may have noticed there was a little more going on than just running through some scale. To build it, I started out with an A major arpeggio (An arpeggio is notes of a chord played separately) and plugged it into the A Lydian mode (A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#).
Example 1 is the lydian scale shape and example 2 is the arpeggio shape that I used. Arpeggios are a good way of breaking out of those "stuck in a box" scale type licks. Throw in some sliding between the notes and you will be able to put some real distance between your licks. I chose the A major arpeggio because A lydian is a major mode.
Here’s a little more theory for you. You can easily use the F# minor arpeggio in conjunction with the A major arpeggio because they are relative. (Relative means scale wise they are the same.) Technically in doing this you will be playing an A major 6 arpeggio.
Example 1: The "A" Lydian Scale
Example 2: The Arpeggio
Example 3: Let’s get into some licks. This lick is a very cool sweep picking arpeggio lick. It starts out in an F# minor arpeggio, moves up to an A major arpeggio, moves back to an F# minor arpeggio, then back to A major and finally ends in F# minor! Remember that these keys are relative. This lick is great for getting around the neck and covering some pretty good distance. The effect that I used was a phaser. The chord progression is in F# minor.
Listen to the Real Audio
Listen to the MP3
Example 4: This lick is very similar to the last one, except that it is in the key of C# minor (or E major – these two keys are relative.) Simply put, although I played this lick over a C# minor context, it could also be played over an E major chord or chord progression for that matter. The tapping is done with my middle finger.
Listen to the Real Audio
Listen to the MP3
Example 5: This last lick sounds impressive because it covers a lot of distance. I personally like to use this one to end songs that are in the key of D minor. To build this lick I combined a D minor arpeggio with the blues scale and finally threw in some major 3rds! This one just tastes good.
Listen to the Real Audio
Listen to the MP3
Like this guitar lesson? Want more guitar lessons with Dave? Try dvd guitar instruction with Dave. Dave Bates co-founder of Total Guitar, is featured in the following 3 Metal Method Guitar Instructional Dvds:
Guitar Styles 1 – Ozzy Style Guitar Lessons DVD- $14.95
Guitar Styles 2 – Metal Style Guitar Lessons DVD- $14.95
Guitar Styles 4 – SRV Style Guitar Lessons DVD- $14.95
The Complete Styles Series Guitar Lessons DVDs- $49.95
