How to Play Arpeggios on Guitar

Reading Guitar Arpeggio Charts
(Horizontal Perspective)

(Video Guitar Lesson 2 of 4)

An guitar arpeggio chart is just a graphic that shows all of the note possibilities in a particular area of the neck. There are a couple of ways that you will see arpeggio charts written. The first way is from a horizontal perspective. This is from the same perspective as guitar tablature.

Here is that D major arpeggio in 2nd position we just looked at. IN the left example you see suggested fingerings. The ovals that are light grey indicate the root of the arpeggio. The root is the primary note that a chord, scale, or arpeggio is named after. In this case the root is D, so there are 2 places that a D occurs in this position.

Then in the arpeggio chart to the right you see the names of the notes

D Major Guitar Arpeggio Chart

D Major Arpeggio Chart - 2nd Position - Fingering

D Major Arpeggio Chart - 2nd Position - Note Names

This would also be the same perspective if you were to lay your guitar on your lap and look down at the neck.

When you see an guitar arpeggio chart like this, you will start from the lowest note on the 6th string and work your way to the highest note on the 1st string. Then reverse direction and head back down to the lowest note on the 6th string. Obviously if you are improvising or writing a melody you do not have to play the notes in order.