Tags: guitar

Today’s session centres on arpeggiation (rotation day). Continue Phrase 2 and Phrase 4 for roughly 30 minutes. Keep expectations realistic—begin slowly and cleanly, then gradually secure the shapes. Listen to a relaxed version of “White Christmas” while storing the guitar—simply absorb the melody and feel, without playing.

10-minute warm-up

• 2 min: Gentle hand/wrist stretches (finger spreads, wrist circles, light shakes).
• 3 min: Chromatic exercise on frets 5–8 (or wherever is comfortable on your neck). One finger per fret, alternate picking, ascending and descending, all six strings. Start very slow.
• 3 min: C major scale (or the scale of the day) in one position, then shift. Focus on even tone and relaxed fretting hand.
• 2 min: Simple chord changes between C∆7 and Dm7 (the first two chords of Phrase 1) — just hold and switch cleanly, no rush.

Main exercises (~15 minutes) — Phrase 2 + Phrase 4 only

Phrase 2 (Bars 3–5): F∆7 G9 | C∆7 E♭7 Dm11 G9sus4 G9 | C∆7 C7
Phrase 4 (Bars 6–8 of A2): F∆7 B♭7 B♭9 | C∆7 C♯ø F∆7 A♭ø | D♭∆13 C6

1. Slow chord-shape arpeggios (6 minutes)
   Play each chord in both phrases as a simple ascending then descending arpeggio (root–3rd–5th–7th or the notes you can reach cleanly).
   • Phrase 2: 4 slow passes.
     
   • Phrase 4: 4 slow passes.
     No metronome yet. Aim for clear notes and smooth hand shifts. Rest the fretting hand between chords if needed.
2. Phrase-level arpeggio runs (6 minutes)
   String the arpeggios together so they flow as the phrase.
   • Phrase 2: 3 times through (play, stop, reset).
     
   • Phrase 4: 3 times through.
     Keep the same relaxed pace. If a change feels sticky (especially the E♭7 or the half-diminished chords), isolate just that bar for a couple of extra reps.
3. Light metronome reinforcement (3 minutes)
   Set the metronome to a comfortable slow tempo (start around 60–70 bpm if that feels right).
   Play each full phrase once or twice with the click, still using the arpeggio approach. Stop if tension appears—speed is not the goal today.

Short cooldown (4–5 minutes)

• Slow, light holds of the first chord of each phrase (F∆7 and then C∆7) for 15–20 seconds each while breathing steadily.
• Gentle finger and wrist stretches (same as warm-up, shorter).