[Drew]

Seven String Sweep Arpeggios Part II: Sweep Etude in E

Ok, so now you know a bunch of sweep arpeggio shapes that use all seven strings. You could just practice each of them over and over again, and in fact at first you probably should do this, but after a while, this gets pretty boring. So, what I like to do is to try to stick a bunch of sweep patterns together in such a way as to both provide some new fingering challanges and sound musically pleasing.

To get you started, here's an etude (a short peice written as a technical drill) I came up with that uses a lot of the seven string arpeggio patterns in the previous lesson coupled with a couple hybrid patterns and some other stuff tossed in to round it out. As far as etudes go, it's hardly brilliant but it gets the job done. Take a crack at it (hint: you can download the Powertab file of this below, and if you want to print this out, it might actually be easier to print that, as it's in a "lesson" format, so there's some headers that you don't see here).

Sweep Etude in E















































Download the PowerTab file here.

Performance Notes

Really, there's not too much to say here... This is essentially just a string of arpeggios in E minor, with the major V chord (B major) thrown in here and there for a bit of neoclassical-approved harmonic minor coloration/tension-and-resolution, with the exception of the ending, where we modulate into E major (a tip o' the proverbial hat to Paganini's infamous 5th Caprice, which features a similar major-key restatement of a minor theme at the end) The taps in the middle section can get a bit tricky (especially on an older non-AANJ Universe, where you just don't have the sustain on the top four frets, which makes that 24th fret tap tricky to execute cleanly), however while the string skips in the second section of that look a bit abrupt, they're easier to execute than they look. Aside from that, it's pretty straightforward, really just a question of keeping a steady sweeping motion with your pick and dampening any exterraneous string noise. Sweeping isn't an easy technique, but once you get comfortable including the lowest string in these patterns, this should come pretty quickly.

As a practice suggestion, try downloading the powertab and playing along with it. If 120bpm is a little too fast at first, simply drop the tempo to something comfortable - say, 60 or 80 - and gradually work it up to (and beyond - 120 bpm is merely the Powertab system default) speed. Aside from being a good way to exchange musical ideas, Powertab makes a great practice tool.

Have fun with this one!

[sixpounder]

Wow, can`t wait to try that out.

[Adam]

Thanks Drew, this really helped me out, it's so hard to find 7 string sweeps that make such a beautiful melody

[sevenstrings7]

thanks a lot, i really have to practise

[Drew]

It's pretty simple, really - they're just diatonic minor chord changes, really, with the occasional V7 (or diminished substitution) thrown in here and there, and a major key variation at the end.

Glad you enjoy it, though.

[sixpounder]

Damn, i need an intonation adjustment, eh eh.

[kmanick]

cool, thanks I need some 7 string arp sequences to run through.

[Kotex]

When you have two notes on one string are you supose to hammer on the second one?

Like in the first box, it goes: 5---8 So you would hit 5 and hammer on 8 wouldn't you?

[Kotex]

Nobody? *sniff sniff* :'(
Otay, guess I'll go fuck around with it.

[Drew]

Kotex, just seeing this now - personally, I hammer. Some guys prefer to alternate pick, though, and as it looks more cluttered if you notate it that way I just left picking/hammering indications off so you could do whatever you wanted.