String-Skipping Arpeggios: A Clean Starting Point
Wide-interval arpeggios sound advanced, but they come down to a few repeatable mechanics. Here is a clean way in, and how to build it without strain.
10:12 · Free lesson
What string skipping really is
String skipping means jumping over a string to reach a wider interval instead of moving to the next string across. It makes arpeggios sound bigger and more vocal because the notes are spread further apart.
The reason it feels hard at first is mostly the picking hand. Your pick has to clear the skipped string cleanly, every time, without catching it. Get that motion repeatable and the left hand follows.
The picking motion
Keep the motion small and let it come from the wrist, not the whole forearm. Mute the skipped string lightly with the side of your palm and the underside of your fretting fingers so a stray brush does not ring out.
Start slow enough that every note is clean. Speed comes from accuracy here. If you rush, you will groove in the catch you are trying to avoid.
Staying healthy
This is where the comeback-from-injury experience matters. If your hand tightens up, stop. Tension works against both speed and longevity. Short, focused reps beat long, strained ones.
Key takeaways
- String skipping is a picking-hand problem first. Solve the clearance and the rest follows.
- Keep the motion small and from the wrist, and mute the skipped string.
- Build speed from accuracy, not force. If the hand tightens, rest.
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