Like many musical terms, the notation for your right-hand fingers uses the Italian or Spanish names for the digits. Fortunately for English-speaking students, the names of the index and middle fingers begin with the same letters as they do in English. The letter 'p' is used to represent the thumb. It stands for the Spanish equivalent 'pulgar.' The ring finger is known as the 'annular,' hence its notation is the letter 'a.' The notation for the above arpeggio would therefore be written 'p' (thumb) - 'i' (index) - 'm' (middle) - 'a' (ring finger).
Now, try out the technique, starting on the open strings of your guitar. Use your thumb to pluck the lowest string, and your fingers to pluck the top three strings: first the thumb, then your index finger, followed by your middle finger, then finally your ring finger. Say or remember the letter names of the thumb and fingers as you practice the technique.
Next, if you have learned any chords yet, try the arpeggio technique on actual chords. Keep trying until you perform the arpeggio, called a 'p-i-m-a' arpeggio, smoothly.
To perform a reverse arpeggio, using the fingering 'p-a-m-i,' you do not need to prepare all of your fingers before you play this arpeggio. You will only need to place your outer fingers, 'p' and 'a,' in advance.
After you have laid the basic groundwork to get reasonably comfortable with the physical movements with which you play chords, arpeggios, and alternations, you should begin to play some actual music, both tunes and accompaniments. To play these, you need to learn how music is written. After you are relatively familiar with musical notation, you may move on to learning how to play simple melodies, as well as chords.
Feel free to visit LA Guitar Academy's website for guitar lessons in the Los Angeles area, or go to LAGA Online's home page to take online guitar lessons from the LAGA Faculty.
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