music theory – Modern Music Theory Improvisation and Application

Play better arpeggios with the guitar pick:

Posted on November 5, 2026 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at adding an open string for creative arpeggio picking on the guitar.

ASCENDING

To begin with, let’s take a simple root position G Major arpeggio and add an open G string to it:

EXAMPLE 1:

This creates a more musical sound with an implied inversion:

We, will now extend this further by adding an open A string and completing the two octaves.

image shows how to play better arpeggios with open guitar strings and chord inversions. Easy to play example and exercise for the guitar.

EXAMPLE 2:

In the next example we will apply the same concept to a D Major arpeggio.

So, let’s start on the 5th of D major by plucking the open A string [second inversion]:

And now, continue ascending with 3 octaves: [Notice the smooth transition/fingering by adding the open string]

image shows how to play better arpeggios easily with a simple exercise

DESCENDING

We can also descend with this concept.

In the following example, we will start on the root [D] and finish on the 3rd [F#].

Once again, notice the open G and open A notes:

Image shows an exercise in how to play better guitar arpeggios.

We could also, descend the above example like this for a simple cadence:

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Pat Martino-Linear Expressions Guitar Activity#1 Example:

Posted on October 30, 2026 by Modern Music Theory and Application

Pat Martino “Linear Expressions” guitar lesson

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a look at the first example in Pat Martino’s brilliant book “Linear Expressions”.

This is a great resource for guitar improvisation as it contains many arpeggio, scale and chromatic phrases in different keys and octaves.

Please be aware though, that this book does not contain guitar TAB [Tablature].

Page example:

GUITAR ACTIVITY #1

[This line is played with alternate picking guitar technique starting on a downstroke].

The key for this line is Gm:

This hard bop sounding activity line starts with a simple fragment of a G minor scale that chromatically connects to a minor 3rd interval creating a jazzy pentatonic sound.

Image shows guitar tab of Pat Martino's linear expressions . Guitar lesson with analysis teaching how to improvise. Full guitar lesson with guitar tab and music notation.

Next, we employ two contrasting “Tetrachords” [4 note groupings]. The first being E minor [G Major] based and the second implying Bb Major 9 [G minor].