Music Lesson: Triad Arpeggios and Technique

So we've talked about:

• Five finger position
• Major pentatonic scales

Introduction to Triad Arpeggios

One thing we haven't discussed yet is triad arpeggios. You really need to start practicing these as part of your routine.

E Major Arpeggio

• Spread Position: Start with the root at the top and bottom.
• Root Downwards: Try them also from the root downwards.

Two Octave Arpeggios

Don't forget, you need to learn two-octave arpeggios. Here's an example for any white note chord:

1. Thumb on C
2. 1, 2, 3
3. Then 1, 2, 3 again

This is a bit more challenging because you have to pass the thumb underneath.

Technique Tips

• Keep a Flexible Wrist: Avoid being clumsy.
• Elbow Position: Keep your elbow down, creating space under your hand, so you can pass the thumb underneath without interference from the other fingers.

Black Note Chords

For chords that begin with a black note, you normally wouldn't start with the thumb. For example, in B flat major:

• Fingering: 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 4 (thumb on D)
• This fingering can also be used for E flat, A flat, D flat, etc.

The one exception is F sharp, which consists of all black notes, making it the same as C major.

Major Triad Cycles

If you wanted, you could try to play the basic pattern up and down on every chord with a backing track.

• Observation: Notice how it's getting higher and higher!

To prevent the arpeggios from going off the top of the keyboard, you'll need to incorporate some descending arpeggios. Aim to include one of those in every two or three chords.

Example Pattern

Follow this structure:

• Be flexible and prepared to change direction whenever necessary.
• You could apply this technique to two-octave arpeggios as well.

General Piano Techniques

• Avoid Consecutive Finger Jumps: Refrain from using the same finger on consecutive notes.
• Thumb on Black Notes: Refer to the fingering given on the page to avoid using your thumb on a black note.

In general, don't feel pressured to change chords every bar, especially if you're playing with a backing track.

Exploration

Take time away from the audio track to explore each of these chords to your heart's content. For example, if focusing on arpeggios, you might stay for eight bars or longer on E before moving on.

Conclusion

Your goal is to gradually build fluency with:

• Triad arpeggios
• Five finger positions
• Major pentatonic scales

These are the three main techniques that we've explored so far. Happy practicing!