{"id":3133,"date":"2021-04-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=3133"},"modified":"2023-01-13T16:05:24","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T00:05:24","slug":"beautiful-arpeggios-piano-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/beautiful-arpeggios-piano-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful Arpeggio Practice for the Piano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Lessons on arpeggio practice on the piano are among our most requested videos, and for good reason! Arpeggios don\u2019t just sound stunning. They\u2019re also an opportunity to practice skills like speed, rhythm, and hand independence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s an arpeggio practice routine that will take your playing to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each pattern is designed to ramp the difficulty level up a notch, but don\u2019t worry. Beginners can master these arpeggio practice routines on the piano too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern1\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Pattern 1: Warm-up Progression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s start easy. On your left hand, play a simple arpeggio progression in four chords:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><strong>C major &gt; A minor &gt; F major &gt; C major<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The chord shapes will look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080139\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-CMajor.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080136\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-aminor.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080142\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-Fmajor.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080139\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-CMajor.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span class=\"blue-text-block\">\ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udfb9 <strong><em>Hot Tip! <\/em><\/strong><em>When it comes to fingering, use what feels good to YOU. Some people like playing these four-note chords with fingers 1-4-3-1, for example, and that&#8217;s a-ok!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get comfortable with these shapes on your left hand first. Then, gently roll between these notes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure your hand is loose and relaxed as you rotate your wrist. If you have small hands, avoid getting sore by releasing your pinky note right after you play it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%201%202%3A50%20-%203%3A17.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your left hand feels comfortable, try adding the root note of each chord on your right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern2\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Pattern 2: Arpeggio with Crossover<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, let\u2019s try a <em>really <\/em>stunning pattern that is awesome to improvise with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll cross over and tuck under our finger 1 (thumb). If you\u2019re unfamiliar with this movement, practice slowly a few times. You can rewind the video a few times too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%202%204%3A07%20-%204%3A16.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the notes and fingering for reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Notes:<\/strong><br>C-G-C-D-E-D-C-G<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Fingering (Left Hand):<\/strong><br>5-2-1-2-1-2-1-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your left hand feels good, add a fifth (for example, C-G for the C major chord) on your right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For an extra challenge, play that fifth every time you hit C on your left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern3\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Pattern 3: Crossover Arpeggio with Sus Chords<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On to the next level! I want you to play the same cross over\/tuck under pattern on your left hand and add a sus chord on your right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"cheatsheet\">If you\u2019re new to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/sus-piano-chords-101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sus chords<\/a>, these cheat sheets might help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080141\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-csus2.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080138\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-asus2.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080144\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-fsus2.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/08080141\/beautiful-arpeggio-patterns-graphics-csus2.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once those sus chords are under your belt, break up the notes and match them up with your left hand. It\u2019s okay to slow down in order to practice this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%203%207%3A17%20-%207%3A20.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yep, it\u2019ll feel like that at first! Totally normal \ud83d\ude43<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern4\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Pattern 4: Crossover Arpeggio with Broken Sus Chord<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we\u2019ll play the broken C Sus 2 notes going up <em>and <\/em>down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%204%209%3A06%20-%209%3A17.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re struggling with this, start slow. Really feel the downbeat as you match the notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get comfortable playing C Sus 2 on top of the arpeggio first, then move through the other sus chords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%205%2010%3A12%20-%2010%3A39.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Refer back to the sus <a href=\"#cheatsheet\">chord cheat sheets<\/a> if you need to \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern5\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Pattern 5: Two-Octave C Major Arpeggio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s add more exciting stuff to the right hand! Try a two-octave C major arpeggio like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%206%2011%3A25%20-%2011%3A30.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll see that my elbow leads me up and down the keyboard. You don\u2019t want to be so loosey-goosey that you develop chicken wings, but do keep those arm muscles flexible \ud83d\udc14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Practice this sloooowly before adding single left hand notes: <strong>C &gt; C &gt; A &gt; A &gt; F &gt; F &gt; C &gt; C<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%207%2011%3A38%20-%2012%3A05.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, play and hold the first part of the arpeggio in your left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%208%2012%3A25%20-%2012%3A31.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, do this with all the different arpeggio chords (C &gt; A &gt; F &gt; C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pattern6\"><strong>Pattern 6 (The Challenge!): Arpeggio SWING<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now for something <em>really <\/em>fun\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll play our original left-hand arpeggio (the one with the cross-overs) in a swing rhythm and play the two-octave arpeggio on top of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this sounds mind-bending, don\u2019t worry! Remember this not-so-secret secret:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS TO PUT ONE HAND ON AUTOPILOT.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll know you\u2019ve <em>definitely <\/em>mastered a piano skill when your hands are programmed to play something like a robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/l1ugpGsysbpIrNdXq\" width=\"480\" height=\"208\" frameborder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/starwars-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-l1ugpGsysbpIrNdXq\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, first practice that right-hand C major arpeggio to the point where it\u2019s second nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, gradually add the left hand pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%209%2015%3A03%20-%2015%3A07.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Add notes bit by bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%2010%2015%3A12%20-%2015%3A17.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you&#8217;re ready, do the full left hand pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><video playsinline=\"\" autoplay=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/How%20To%20Play%20Beautiful%20Arpeggios\/gif%2011%2015%3A21%20-%2015%3A25.mp4\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" width=\"100%\"><\/video><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your ultimate goal? <strong>Combine that two-octave arpeggio with the left hand swing pattern in <\/strong><strong><em>all <\/em><\/strong><strong>the chords of the progression.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you nail it, CELEBRATE!!! Pat yourself on the back! You\u2019ve achieved something awesome \ud83d\ude42 Don\u2019t forget to stretch out your hands and reward yourself with some cake \ud83c\udf82<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arpeggio practice ideas for piano that sound gorgeous\u2014improve your technique and hand independence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":3369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1113,507,1108,1112],"tags":[1069],"class_list":["post-3133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arpeggios","category-chord-theory","category-musicianship","category-practice-musicianship","tag-gsotp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3133"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10993,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3133\/revisions\/10993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}