guitar sweep patterns: where do I start?

Greetings fellow Shred enthusiasts! Today I’m here to talk to you about guitar sweep patterns, one of my personal favorite Shred-adjacent topics. Guitar sweep patterns are closely associated with sweep arpeggios because of how perfectly matched they are for each other. 

An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time, rather than all at once. Sweep picking is a technique that is often used to smoothly play arpeggios, usually at high speeds, by using a series of either down or upstrokes with the pick. This is accomplished using a controlled strum, or “sweep,” motion. It’s a tricky technique to master, but when done right, it can add a beautiful and intricate layer to your playing.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Anton, why should I bother with all this fancy sweep picking business? Can’t I just play my chords the regular way?” Well, of course you can, but where’s the fun in that? Sweep picking allows you to explore the full range of the guitar neck and create complex and fluid melodies that might not be possible with other techniques. It’s a way to add depth and emotion to your playing and really make your guitar sing.

Learning guitar sweep patterns

But enough of my ramblings, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How do you go about learning these sweep patterns? Well, my dear readers, it’s all about practice and patience. Start small with some two-string sweep patterns. Then gradually work your way up to basic three-string and four-string patterns before moving up to more complex shapes. It’s also important to pay attention to your picking hand and make sure you’re using efficient and economical movements.

Different types of arpeggios

Now be careful not to get stuck on playing standard arpeggios. A simple way to start working on expanding what you know is to use added intervals to your arpeggio shapes such as 6ths or 7ths. If you started with a Dm sweep arpeggio, add a 7th to make it a Dm7th. Of course, you should also play around with diminished and augmented arpeggio patterns. Diminished 7th arpeggios are a common staple of the neoclassical shred style and sound amazing.

Another tip I have for you is to experiment with different chord shapes and inversions. This will not only help improve your finger dexterity, but it will also open up a whole world of new sound possibilities. Don’t be afraid to try out different rhythms and time signatures as well. The more you play around with these techniques, the more you’ll develop your own unique style.

To ensure that you don’t limit your sweep technique, try coming up with your own guitar sweep patterns without a focus on a specific arpeggio. Spend plenty of time practicing the scales and modes and, when you’re ready, try coming up with sweep patterns based on how they sound instead of simply what arpeggio they fit within.

So there you have it, a crash course in guitar sweep patterns and arpeggios. It may seem daunting at first, but with a little bit of practice and perseverance, you’ll be laying down some legendary arpeggios in no time.

Shred on!

-Anton