October 2000: Arpeggi vs. Rolled Chords - Unit 4 - How To Practice An Arpeggio

• At first you must play VERY slowly and very firmly.
• As you execute the arpeggio, emphasize (accent) a specific finger, e.g. 4, every time you play it. Then do the same with 3, or 2 or 1.
• Though it may seem counterproductive, one of the best practice techniques for arpeggi is to play the sequence of notes UNequally, i.e.;
  long, short, long, short, long, short, etc.
  then in reverse;
  short, long, short, long, short, long, etc.

Always emphasize (accent) the "long" notes and be sure the short notes are very close to the note that follows - sort of like playing a dotted 8th followed by a 16th or vice versa. This is a terrific way to achieve
independent finger control. Try it! When you again try to play evenly chances are that you will have improved.

Basic to the execution of an arpeggio, is the ability to place an ENTIRE group of notes prior to the time that it will be played. Let's say that you wish to play:

Upward	C	G	C		E	G	C	E		G	C	E	G		C	and back down
	4	2	1		4	3	2	1		4	3	2	1		2
	left hand				right hand					left hand					right hand

• Start with the first two groups set on the strings.
• Execute the first group and immediately, WHILE PLAYING the second group, place the third group so it is on the strings BEFORE you play it.
• While playing group 2, immediately place group 3.
• While playing group 3, immediately place the top note --- and so on as you reverse direction and continue downward.
• A good way to practice grabbing the groups is the play the arpeggio as a series of block chords making sure each block is placed before you play the preceding one.
• When building the actual arpeggio, again, work very slowly then gradually faster but ALWAYS be sure you are placing ahead.
  

See you next month.

Stephanie

you can access Units 1 - 3 of this lesson in The Archives

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