The 1 Arpeggio WorkOut you MUST Know

Plain arpeggios is one of the most essential things you can practice, and today I’m going to show you an exercise I practice to really get familiar with the arpeggios over the neck. Let’s dive right in.

TL;DR
Short version: One arpeggio workout using C major diatonic arpeggios. Three-string and four-string patterns, groups of five, connecting everything across the neck.

Okay, so what we’re gonna do right now is we’re gonna play the diatonic arpeggios of C major starting from the sixth degree, A minor. We’re gonna play two notes. For the A minor seven over here, it’s going to be a root and a seven. Then we’re going to jump a string, it’s going to be the five and the third, and then aiming to the root.

So we have root seven, five, third, root.

So we’re gonna use this structure to go over the different diatonic arpeggios. So we have:

You can notice I’m only playing one pick per string, so I’m also using hammer-ons and pull-offs. So it’s going to be:

Pick, pull, pick, pull, pick.

Then moving to the next chords:

And we’re back at A minor seven.

So let’s play this in time right now.

Okay, so what’s gonna happen right now is I’m gonna play these notes consistently as eighth notes. So we’re getting a group of five, which is an unsymmetrical sound, and it’s gonna sound like this.

So here it is with the metronome on 85 BPMs.

So this was descending, but we can also do the other way, you know, coming up.

Okay, so we just used three strings, right, to play an arpeggio, but you can also use four strings. So let me show you what I mean. We just played this, right? A minor seven over here.

These exact notes can also be played over here using four strings.

So you can practice now being able to play arpeggios utilizing these four strings. You’re gonna get this:

Back to A minor seven.

So now I’m going to combine both kinds of arpeggios: utilizing the free string arpeggios we just did earlier.

And then moving to the atomic arpeggio that is the third below. So if we’re in A minor seven, an arpeggio that is a third below is going to be F major seven and I’m going to play it on four strings.

So I’m gonna get this:

Or the other way around.

So now if I move this whole structure down diatonically, I can get:

Also, a four-string arpeggio. Right? Previously we had G7 played on three strings. Now we have E minor seven on four strings.

So there’s a third between E and G, diatonically speaking. Right? G7 all the way to E minor seven.

Then I’m gonna get:

And I can resolve it to C.

Once again, notice we’re playing groups of five here, so the eighth notes are going to be felt like:

Okay, so first of all, I’m going to play it in eighth notes and then after that, I’m going to play it in triplets and then I’m going to play it in 16th notes so you can feel that five in all kinds of subdivisions. Right? So it’s a pretty cool exercise.

So one and two, three and four and:

Gonna move to triplets:

Sixteenth notes:

So that’s it for now. Please make sure to subscribe and like this video. Also, drop me a comment; that really helps. If you really want to go deeper into these kinds of subjects and really get a solid understanding of the fretboard, also learn some jazz language, check out my 51 Galactic Jazz Licks and Galactic Modern Guitar courses. By the way, make sure to check out my album “Dive.” Check it out on Spotify.

So what would you like my next lesson to be about? Let me know in the comments below. See you in the next video.

01 No matter what style you play,

Controlling and combining arpeggios on your guitar is essential.

This is the stuff that connects everything. When arpeggios flow like this, you’re not thinking shapes anymore. The Fretboard Freedom Path breaks down exactly how to build this kind of fluency.
Explore the Fretboard Freedom Path →

In this video you will discover 5 powerful exercises that will help you:

  • Get familiar with the fretboard and visualize your arpeggios.
  • Learn how to do them in a variety of rhythms.
  • Combine 3string arpeggios with 4string arpeggios to create some delicious sounds.
Daniel Weiss

About Daniel Weiss

Berklee-trained jazz fusion guitarist, Guitar Idol 2016 finalist, and praised by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater). Daniel has taught over 5,000 students worldwide through his Fretboard Freedom Path method. Learn more

Your next step
The Fretboard Freedom Path
A structured roadmap that connects triads, arpeggios, and voice leading into one system. Every step builds on the last – so you always know what to practice next.
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Frequently Asked Questions

02 Why does the arpeggio workout use groups of five notes instead of four?

The workout plays diatonic arpeggios as consecutive eighth notes, which creates a five-note grouping pattern across the measure. This asymmetrical phrasing helps train your ears and fingers to navigate the fretboard more organically, breaking free from rigid four-note patterns.

03 What’s the difference between playing a three-string versus four-string arpeggio in this exercise?

The three-string version uses root-seven-five-third-root on consecutive strings with hammer-ons and pull-offs for efficiency. The four-string version gives you the same chord tones but spread across more strings, allowing you to practice the same arpeggio shapes in different positions on the neck.

04 How do you combine three-string and four-string arpeggios using diatonic thirds?

You play a three-string arpeggio on one chord, then immediately move to another diatonic arpeggio that’s a third away and play it on four strings. For example, A minor seven on three strings flows into F major seven on four strings, creating smooth melodic transitions through the C major scale.

05 Should I practice this arpeggio workout ascending and descending?

Yes, the post demonstrates both directions – descending through the diatonic chords of C major, then ascending back up. Practicing bidirectionally strengthens your muscle memory and ensures you develop equal facility in both directions across the fretboard.

Key Takeaway
In summary: Play arpeggios as groups of five eighth notes. The asymmetrical feel makes everything flow instead of sounding like exercises.