LESSON 4 - SWEEP PICKING PERFECTION
How to build sweep picking precision
The patterns of sweep picking
7 Arpeggio patterns and you're set
In this article, I'm going to give you the basic sweep picking patterns that I use when
I improvise. They are very simple and can be used in any type of music. I'm talking
about the Major, Minor and diminished triads. While there are many variations on
these basic arpeggios, these are the fundamental three types you really need to
master. You can add chord extensions like the 9th the 11th or other add-on notes to
make the sound of the arpeggio change completely.
But if you know your basic triads, adding other notes to them will be easy and fun
instead of confusing and overwhelming. I use these three types of triads in many
different contexts and they are not limited to a Neoclassical type of chord
progression. They work just as well for Blues, Flamenco or Jazz. So the benefits of
being able to effortlessly sweep these Arpeggios are huge.
The 5-string Major shapes
In my last article I showed you the three 5-string patterns of an A-Minor arpeggio.
This 5-string pattern is convenient because it allows you to create a 16 note sweep
from start to end. Let's look at it's Major buddy, the C-Major arpeggio in it's three
inversions:
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