ATTENTION! In this weeks episode we’re going to be looking at creating a beautiful 5 & 6 string sweep picking progression that flows seamlessly through 3 altered major chords. The real magic in the sound of this progression is the extended notes we’re adding in to each arpeggio.

This takes a very normal sounding sweep picking progression into something with interesting and unusual sonic quality that will really grab some attention. We’ll strategically choose our arpeggio inversions to keep each shape within the same position on the fretboard. This means we can do a huge sounding sweep picked progression without having to move all over the neck. NOW GET TO IT!

Sweep Picking Progression Basics

To execute this sweep picking progression we’ll be using some shapes you may already be familiar with. Before we get into the full progression lets break this into the basic single shapes with their additional notes. Once you have each of these under control I would recommend practicing transitioning cleanly between each pair of shapes before connecting all 3 together. This will help your level of precision.

G Major 7 – Second Inversion Arpeggio

Because this is a I – IV – V progression we’ll start with a G Major7 arpeggio. This shape is known as the second inversion. Notice the additional note on the 14th fret on the high E string, thats the note F#. For a silky smooth sound I would suggest hammering onto these notes and pulling off for the descend. We’ll start with the second inversion arpeggio because this allows us to keep all of these arpeggios in the same section of the neck.

C Major #11 – Lydian Based Arpeggio – First Inversion

This arpeggio takes the ever so common first inversion major arpeggio and adds an additional note. In this case it’s F# again. Because C Major is the IV chord in the key of G Major, this relates to the lydian mode. This presents us with a #4 scale degree, if we add this note to our major arpeggio we get a lydian sound. You could consider this a lydian arpeggio.

D Add 9 – Root Inversion 6 String Shape

To keep all these arpeggios in the same section on the neck we now drop down to our 6th string for a D add 9 arpeggio. This is a particularly tricky shape because it has two rolls with two different fingers. Once you get it down however its a really great sound. It’s also a great shape to have in your arpeggio arsenal. The additional note is the E note on the 12th fret on the high E string. Given the complexity of this shape it’s the most logical place to add any more additional notes to this arpeggio.

Connecting The Dots – The Full Progression

In this sweep picking progression always start by ascending the arpeggios. Each time you change to the next arpeggio should be on an Ascend.

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