Tags: guitar

Today’s session: Arpeggiation focus (rotation day 2 of 4). Continue with Phrase 2 and Phrase 4 only, aiming for about 15 minutes of focused work. The total time is roughly 30 minutes. Remain relaxed, keep the electric guitar at a moderate volume, and pause if any hand tension develops.

10-minute warm-up

1. Chromatic / fretting-hand mobility (2 min) — Play 1-2-3-4 patterns ascending and descending on strings 6–1, then reverse. Keep it light and even; no tension.
2. C major scale in 2 positions (3 min) — One octave starting on the 8th fret (A-shape) and one starting on the 3rd fret (E-shape). Use alternate picking, quarter notes at ~60–70 bpm. Focus on clean fretting.
3. Basic triad arpeggios (3 min) — C major, F major, G major, D minor, and B♭ major triads. Play each as root-3rd-5th-root (up and down) slowly in one comfortable position. Emphasize clear notes and even spacing.
4. Quick chord-shape review (2 min) — Hold each of the main shapes from today’s phrases (F∆7, G9, C∆7, E♭7, B♭7, C♯ø, etc.) for 2–3 seconds with a relaxed left hand. Release and shake out between shapes.

Main exercises (~15 minutes) — Arpeggiation of Phrase 2 & Phrase 4

Work at a slow, comfortable tempo (start ~50–60 bpm if using a metronome). Prioritize clean, even arpeggios and smooth voice leading over speed.

• Phrase 2 chord-by-chord arpeggios (4–5 min)
  Arpeggiate each chord (root-3rd-5th-7th or the natural extensions shown) up and down once:
  F∆7 → G9 → C∆7 → E♭7 → Dm11 → G9sus4 → G9 → C∆7 → C7.
  Do 2–3 slow passes. Focus on the color tones (especially the 9ths and the E♭7).

• Phrase 2 connected (3–4 min)
  Play the full Phrase 2 as continuous arpeggios, linking the last note of one chord to the first of the next.
  4 repetitions. Keep the rhythm steady even if you simplify some extensions.

• Phrase 4 chord-by-chord arpeggios (4 min)
  Same approach: F∆7 → B♭7 → B♭9 → C∆7 → C♯ø → F∆7 → A♭ø → D♭∆13 → C6.
  2–3 slow passes. Pay special attention to the half-diminished chords and the final D♭∆13 → C6 resolution.

• Phrase 4 connected + short loop (3 min)
  Play Phrase 4 straight through as arpeggios, 3 times. Then loop the last two bars (D♭∆13 → C6) 4 extra times, focusing on a clean, resolved landing on C6.

If anything feels muddy, drop back to single-chord work for that shape only. Quality over quantity.

Short cooldown (3–5 minutes)

• Gentle left-hand stretches (finger spreads, wrist circles) for 1–2 minutes.
  
• Hold the final C6 (or a simple C major) softly for 10–15 seconds, then release and shake out.
  
• Optional: Listen to one short recording of “White Christmas” while lightly fretting the Phrase 2 or Phrase 4 shapes without picking—just feel the harmony.