Broken Chords

Let's practice picking over some simple chord shapes. Two bars of Fmaj7, then C, then G.

Go slowly, play against a drumbeat or metronome, and only increase the tempo when you can play this reliably. Listen for playing to the beat and sounding each note cleanly.

Here's a similar exercise, but the chord changes every bar. Notice how the root note of each chord forms a walking bassline - G, A, B, C.

Here's a more involved pattern, with a verse and chorus. Not just up-and-down this time, and more focused on a chord variation rather than changing chords. Practice each chord pattern separately until you can play it evenly and cleanly.

Another extended exercise. This sweeps up and down, but also includes some chords and ornaments.

This piece is similar to Merle Travis-style fingerpicking.