All those involved in learning to play a musical instrument, without fail, study the technique in the form of a certain sequence of notes, called the term "arpeggio". But many ordinary listeners, far from understanding the basic canons of music, also come across this concept. Arpeggio is one of the most interesting techniques used in musical accompaniment, which adds some sensuality to the music. Next, we will consider the main aspects associated with this technique of the game.
Arpeggio - what is it?
First, let's look at the official interpretation. Based on the definitions presented in the theory of music, an arpeggio is a breakdown of a chord into sounds that are not extracted together, as if a whole chord sounded, but are played sequentially one after another, quickly replacing each other. This creates the effect of a kind of overflow. And it is not necessary that the notes that make up such a sequence form a chord (it can be arbitrary).
Arpeggio is believed to be a musical device that was first used by Italian composer Domenico Alberti, who used arpeggiated sequences to accompany the bass part. And the name of such a technique comes from the word "arpo", meaning a musical instrument harp or the process of playing it. But this is the way it is - on the harp, string overflows in the form of a quick sequential transition over a certain number of notes are most common.
Designation on a stave
When recording notes in a musical score, several notations can be used to indicate arpeggios. In the simplest case, if the duration of the notes allows, the arpeggio can be recorded on a stave exclusively in the form of their sequence.
However, most often a full chord is indicated, before which there is a vertical wavy line or a semicircular sign, which is usually used for lined notes. In the case when it is supposed to perform arpeggios from the component notes of several chords, the chord itself can be indicated, and the Latin designation of reception (arpeggio) above it.
Arpeggio on the piano as a development of playing technique
For pianists, arpeggios can be called not only a technique that introduces new colors in the performance of a musical work, but also one of the main techniques for the development of playing technique, finger fluency, etc.
As a simple example, let's look at C major arpeggio. Notes in the classic upward version have a sequence in the form of do-mi-sol-do (through an octave) and on. A downward move implies the reverse sequence. Thus, it is not difficult to conclude that arpeggios can be conditionally divided into ascending and descending ones.
But you can play the piano with both hands. At the same time, arpeggios in any order can sound with an interval of an octave or two. In addition, diverging arpeggios are also singled out, which, upon reaching a certain position on the keyboard (most often the first or second octave), begin to be performed in different directions (left hand down, right up). In this case, the ascending sequence is played first, in the middle - diverging, then converging to the same position on the keyboard, then - again ascending, finally - descending to the same place, diverging and converging again, and in the end - descending to the starting point.
Guitar arpeggios
But arpeggios are good because you don’t need to fit into the framework of a single chord and a clear sequence of notes. This is best demonstrated by arpeggios on the guitar, which are most often called brute force. But everyone has heard of such a reception.
It is interesting that guitar arpeggios can act not only as accompaniment, but also as solo parts, which can often be heard in Spanish music. In the modern world, this technique is often used by rock guitarists. This is especially noticeable in such giants as Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai and many others.
Any person who is just starting his training in playing the guitar on his own, because in the first place he is trying to learn exactly how to search and fight. And the arpeggio, even in the simplest version with one fixed chord used, develops the technique of the fingers of the right hand.
In the case of the execution of more complex sequences, the fingers of the left hand are connected. Sometimes a striking technique called tapping is used. And this is not only a finger movement technique on the bar.
Conclusion
It remains to add that the value of such a technique cannot be underestimated. Not only does he add unique colors to the musical works themselves, he also very much develops the technique of their performance on any musical instrument. It is not surprising that in musical educational institutions the development of arpeggios is given paramount importance along with scales. Well, there is no need to talk about the musical significance of this technique at all. This, as they say, is not discussed.