Arpeggio - what is it? The main varieties and techniques of execution

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

All those who are involved in learning to play a musical instrument must study the technique in the form of a certain sequence of notes, called the term "arpeggio". But many ordinary listeners, far from understanding the main canons of music, also encounter this concept. Arpeggio is one of the most interesting techniques used in musical accompaniment, which adds a certain sensuality to the music. Next, the main aspects related to this game technique will be considered.

Arpeggio - what is it?

First, let's look at the official interpretation. Based on the definitions presented in music theory, an arpeggio is a division of a chord into sounds that are not played together, as if a whole chord were sounding, but are played sequentially one after another, quickly replacing each other. This creates a kind of overflow effect. And it is not necessary that the notes included in such a sequence form some kind of chord (it can be arbitrary).

It is believed that the arpeggio isa musical technique pioneered by the Italian composer Domenico Alberti, who used arpeggiated sequences to accompany the bass line. And the name of such a technique comes from the word "arpo", meaning a musical instrument, a harp or the process of playing it. But the way it is - on the harp, string modulations in the form of a quick successive transition over a certain number of notes are most common.

Notation on the staff

When writing notes in a musical score, several notations can be used to designate arpeggios. In the simplest case, if the duration of the notes allows, the arpeggio can be recorded on the staff exclusively in the form of their sequence.

However, most often a full chord is indicated, preceded by a vertical wavy line or a semicircular mark, which is usually used for tied notes. In the case when an arpeggio is supposed to be performed from the constituent notes of several chords, the chord itself can be indicated, and above it - the Latin designation of the technique (arpeggio).

Arpeggio on the piano as a development of playing technique

For pianists, arpeggio can be called not only a technique that brings new colors to the performance of a piece of music, but also one of the main methods for developing playing technique, finger fluency, etc.

As a simple example, let's take a C major arpeggio. Notes in the classical ascending version have a sequence in the formdo-mi-sol-do (through the octave) and beyond. Descending reception implies the reverse sequence. Thus, it is easy to conclude that arpeggios can be conditionally divided into ascending and descending.

But you can play the piano with two hands. At the same time, arpeggios in any sequence can sound with an interval of an octave or two. In addition, divergent arpeggios are also distinguished separately, which, upon reaching a certain position on the keyboard (most often the first or second octave), begin to be played in different directions (left hand down, right hand up). In this case, an ascending sequence is played first, diverging in the middle, then converging to the same position on the keyboard, then ascending again, finally descending to the same place, again diverging and converging, and finally descending to the starting point.

Guitar arpeggios

But arpeggios are good because they do not need to fit into the framework of a single chord and a clear sequence of taking notes. This is best demonstrated by arpeggios on the guitar, which are most commonly referred to as picking. But everyone heard about this technique.

It is interesting that guitar arpeggios can act not only as an accompaniment, but also as solo parts, which can be heard quite often in Spanish music. In the modern world, this technique is often used by rock guitarists. This is especially noticeable in such giants as Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai and many others.

Any person who is just starting his learning to play the guitar on his own, because in the first placetrying to learn exactly busting and fighting. And the arpeggio, even in the simplest performance with one fixed chord, develops the technique of the fingers of the right hand.

In the case of performing more complex sequences, the fingers of the left hand are also connected. Sometimes a percussive technique called tapping is used. And this is not only the technique of moving fingers along the neck.

Conclusion

It remains to be added that the value of such a technique cannot be underestimated. Not only does he add unique colors to the musical works themselves, he also greatly develops the technique of their performance on any musical instrument. It is not surprising that in music schools the development of arpeggios is given paramount importance along with scales. Well, there is no need to talk about the musical significance of this technique at all. This, as they say, is not discussed.