Guitar 101 : Arpeggios

One sure way of spicing up a solo is to use arpeggios. Let's look at how to build arpeggios off of basic chord positions by simply using your fourth finger.

Let's start with an A minor chord in the fifth position :

Then, instead of playing the third note (E) on the B string (5th fret), hammer-on to the G string / 9th fret. Skip over the B string entirely, playing the next note (A) on the 5th fret of the high E string. Finally, hammer-on to the 8th fret (C). Once you get the fingerings down, work on playing the entire pattern as one long ascending / descending line, as fast as your fingers will allow. Try shifting the entire pattern chromatically up and down the neck.

Below is an extended A minor arpeggio in the twelfth position. Notice that the highest note requires a considerable fourth finger stretch, so relax and work up to it if you're feeling any stiffness.

Now let's try a two-octave A minor arpeggio in the 5th position. This one is derived from a basic A minor barre chord by the use of fourth finger extensions. Try to memorize the visual pattern and the location of major and minor thirds.

Well that's basically it so practice the exercises slowly until you feel confortable!