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Introduction
Here is a great way of acquiring some useful improvisational tools, improving your techniques, sharpening your position shifting, discovering new chord shapes and learning some notes around the board. Carve up this pattern of arpeggios (based on the CAGED Chord System) using the economical fingerings provided. These patterns cross the strings relentlessly so whilst you alternate pick, slide, hammer-on, tap and pull-off etc; be sure to work in some sweeping. Once mastered, weave between these shapes randomly. This will demand fresh thought and fingerings, thereby ensuring you don’t get stuck in a rut.
Patterns
Theory
Take a rest, grab a fretboard diagram and examine all the notes. They are all D, F and A (repeated in that order). DFA are the notes of a D minor chord (or triad). Arpeggios are simply chords broken into their constituent notes and reassembled in alphabetical order from the root or tonic (in this case D). To reinforce this insight, break up another common chord and arpeggiate it across your board.
Improvisation
After you master the pattern, try jamming around in the patterns looking for licks and phrases. Anything you create will be useful in the keys where DFA can be found loitering with intent i.e. D minor (D E F G A Bv C), A Minor (A B C D E F G A), G minor (G A Bv C D Ev F) and F# Harmonic Minor (F# G# A B C# D E#/F).
Chords
Combine some of the arpeggio patterns into fretable chords. This gives you a back door into the CAGED Chord System.
Progressions
These minor arpeggios can be converted into major, diminished, augmented and suspended variations with some simple tweaks. They can also be extended into 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and 13th etc. Establish a key’s worth of chords e.g. Dm Emv5 F Gm Am Bv C and practice playing progressions as arpeggios.
Enjoy!
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