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Lead Guitar Made Easy
Arpeggio exercise in C major
Learn how to play lead guitar using guitar arpeggios
The illustration below shows an arpeggio exercise using the guitar chords of C, Dm, Em, F, G and Am. These arpeggio guitar exercises should be mastered to learn to move around the fretboard. The fingering has been included for most of the chords.
Notice that each note in the tablature is formed by the guitar chord illustrated. To play this arpeggio exercise smoothly, your fingers must roll slightly after playing each note. This means that you don't just finger the chords as normal, but get ready to play the next note and stay in motion.
Notice the first note in the tablature below. The 8 = the C note at the 8th fret on the low E string. You begin with your 1 finger, but notice you end with the 8 note, 1 finger, on the B string. Both of those notes are played with the tip of your index finger. In other words, don't bar that C chord when playing this exercise. Try to roll your fingers along. This sound file may sound corny, but it should be learned completely. You should play it smoothly sounding each note clean.
This guitar exercise will strengthen your fingers and get you moving around the fret-board. Once you learn this arpeggio in the key of C major, move everything to the 5th fret and learn to play it in the key of A major. You can use the same fingering patterns at the new locations, but the guitar chords would be A, Bm, D and E.
I would also suggest that you play this with and without a pick. In the sound file below, I used an electric guitar and used a pick. In the video, I didn't use a pick. I've played this exercise hundreds of times and it has actually helped me create a new style and get out of the strumming rut.
The guitar tablature for the arpeggio exercise has been included below.
Remember to start slow and play each note clean. Play one note at time and try not to finger each position as a chord, but roll the fingers over each note.
Good luck,
Guitar Secrets