Modal Arpeggios

By Dan Keller @ Sultan of String ::: web site :::: bio :::

*** My guitar is tuned one full step down to D ***

Welcome Melodic Metal fans!

I'm glad to present you a powerful method for very melodic arpeggio playing. And furthermore Lori's web site is the right place to do that, because Lori is a great melodic guitarist! [Lori's comment: Dan, your check is in the mail...]

Myself, I play a melodic Exotic Metal guitar style, and to make my arpeggios sound more melodic, I often play arpeggios that incorporate more than the standard 1-3-5 notes (i.e. more than root, third and fifth of the chord).

Example 1 below demonstrates this:

Example 1 Listen

Did that sound interesting? You'll see that it isn't very complicated, but very effective to use! Here is how you do it:

You execute this by playing an E in the bass and then the following arpeggios: E major, Ab Minor, B major, Eb dim

These four arpeggios are marked on the fretboard.

Example 2 below demonstrates this, played slowly.

Example 2 Listen

Each arpeggio adds an extra note to the basic 1-3-5 arpeggio:

Ab Minor: adds a 7 tone

B major: adds a 9 tone

Eb dim: adds an 11 tone

What you get is a gradual extension of the standard 1-3-5 arpeggio. Use this method, and your arpeggios will sound more melodic than before!

Example 3 below demonstrates the same approach, but adding a slight twist

Example 3 Listen

On my album Electric Storm you can find more music and melodies using this idea.

Dan Keller - www.sultanofstring.com

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