ARPEGGIOS
With Chromatic Embellishments (Yngwie-Style)

For (yet another) continuation of the “applying chromatics to basic arpeggio shapes” concept, as explored in Lick #11 and Lick #12, with this new lick, I'm demonstrating a slightly different approach—alternating twice between the “lower chromatic neighbor” and actual chord tone (creating a four-note motif), then “arpeggiating” in a strictly descending fashion, à la Yngwie Malmsteen.

Since this type of lick doesn't involve the tricky string-skipping stuff encountered in previous examples, it's a little easier to visualize on the fly.... BUT, this time ya gotta pick every note, to achieve the proper “Yngwie” effect! Also, it sits squarely on a single chord—Em—minimizing the need to “shift gears.”

Over an Em chord, where the “legal” arpeggio notes are “E,” “G,” and “B,” all you'll be doing is using your alternate picking chops to rapidly alternate between chromatic (i.e., “illegal”) and non-chromatic (i.e., “legal”) notes. For instance, when faced with an “E” note, you'll pick out a D#-E-D#-E pattern; a “G” will inspire an F#-G-F#-G pitch arrangement; a “B” will prompt you to unload an A#-B-A#-B pattern. This is exactly what happens in the E minor-based lick below, albeit applied to numerous areas on the fret board.

After learning the lick below, also try targeting the exact same pitches, beginning in a different area on the neck—e.g., instead of kicking off the line from the “E” at the 12th fret of the 1st string, try commencing it from the “B” at the 19th fret of the 1st string, then working your way across/down the fret board, maintaining the same “chromatic embellishment” approach throughout.

Also, as you should know by now, for maximum flexibility with this kind of stuff, try implementing this approach into every single static chord vamp (e.g., a tune revolving around one chord) you come across. All ya gotta do is target three chord tones on the neck, fer goodness sakes! It's up to you to find where they are. (Yet another reason why basic scale/arpeggio practice—with a constant awareness of the actual note names, as opposed to TAB numbers—is mandatory!)

(*You can hear the lick FAST by clicking HERE*)

(*You can hear the lick SLOW by clicking HERE*)

Like This 100% Free Shred Guitar Lesson?

To help support this site's free online guitar lessons, please check out my new acoustic CD, INTERPRETATIONS—10 crazy versions of '60s and '70s classic rock cover songs (including Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody,” reproduced “live” with a single guitar and voice!!) Thank you :)

1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” 6:03  2. “God Only Knows” 2:39  3. “Blackbird” 2:28  4. “Sweet Baby James” 3:52  5. “Hallelujah” 6:28  6. “She’s Always a Woman” 3:08  7. “Leader of the Band” 4:17  8. “Sister Golden Hair” 2:53  9. “Castles Made of Sand” 3:12  10. “Coconut” 3:44

Total playing time: 39:03 All songs used by permission. All rights reserved.

CD dedicated to my mother, Jeff Buckley, and a few of my friends.