August 2000: Arpeggi vs. Rolled Chords - Unit 2

A rolled chord is executed by playing its notes in a fast sequential order, usually from the bottom to the top. (In Celtic music they are sometimes rolled downward). The difference between a rolled chord and an arpeggio depends on speed of execution, and timing within the musical structure.

The rate (speed) at which one plays the notes of a rolled chord is usually faster than that of an arpeggio. A quickly rolled chord is sometimes refered to as "rippled". The primary difference between arpeggi and rippled or rolled chords is in the timing.

- Whereas an arpeggio fits specifically into the rhythmic structure of the piece (see Unit 1) a chord is written as a complete structure occurring at a particular beat point in the music. It becomes the players responsibility to initiate the execution of that chord slightly early so that it's top note occurs at the exact point in the music that the chord was intended. Think about it. The top note of a chord is usually part of the melodic line. Say the chord was to be played on beat one of the piece. If you were to start the roll out on beat one, the top note would occur a tad late and the melodic flow would be interrupted.

- The player has to develop a sense of timing judgement such that he/she initiates the execution of a chord just early enough to accomodate the degree of roll out--earlier for a long roll , not as early for a ripple.

- Rolled chords that occur at the end of a piece, or at a cadential point, may often be initiated ON the beat and rolled outward from there. This is so because the rate of the piece usually tapers down and the displacement of the top note will thus fit, or, the chord at that point may serve as a final embellishment rather that meeting a melodic tone.

We will consider practice techniques for both arpeggi and rolled chords in the September Lesson Of The Month - Unit 3.

See you next month.

Stephanie

you can access Unit 1 of this lesson in The Archives

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