Arpeggios and Chord Patterns

What is an arpeggio?

An arpeggio is a chord whose notes are played one at a time, like a harp. Instead of pressing all the keys at once, you play each note of the chord separately, one after another.

Why play notes one at a time?

Playing chords as arpeggios turns a solid block of sound into a flowing, melodic line. This is a beautiful way to accompany a melody or create a sense of movement and space in your playing.

How to build an arpeggio pattern

Start on the bottom note of your chord and play the three notes upwards (root, third, fifth). Then, to make a complete pattern, turn around and play the same three notes downwards (fifth, third, root).