52 Sweeps Patterns for Guitar

What are sweeps?

If we generalize melodic movement on the guitar, it is either by “step” or “skip.” Step playing is done with scales, and skip playing is done with arpeggios and sweeps. That’s why the ability to sweep pick fluidly is an important part of your technical development, as it enables you to play cleanly at very high tempos. Playing by skip places specific demands on your picking hand. This book concentrates on 6 string sweeps and outlines a combination of chord tones and tensions.

Sweeps for 13 chord types in 3 inversions. 52 sweeps in all.

The sweeps in this book are very versatile and work over all the commonly found chords in music.

Here is a list of the chord types that these sweeps outline.

• Major 7th
• Minor 7th
• Dominant 7th
• Minor 7b5
• Dominant 7th sus4
• Minor Major 7th
• Diminished 7th
• Major 7#5
• Major 7#11
• Dominant 7#5
• Dominant 7b5
• Major 6th
• Minor 6th

Sweep technique is similar to strumming chords.

One of the main reasons guitarists have problems with sweep picking is because they don’t understand the proper technique needed. Usually the picking hand is the issue. Sweep picking is actually more like strumming the strings of the guitar rather than consciously picking each string with a different stroke. This may seem like a small distinction but it’s crucial to your success when learning to sweep pick.

Multiple Picking patterns

Throughout 52 Sweeps Patterns for Guitar different patterns are presented to give you many ways to play each sweep. This will help you to see how you can develop a whole melodic style just using sweeps.

Superimpositions give each sweep multiple applications.

The sweeps presented in this book will sound good over multiple chords. For each chord type a list is included so that every sweep you learn will have multiple applications.

Sweeps allow extremely fast playing skills.

The good news is that the economy of picking motion involved with sweep playing enables you to play extremely fast melodies. But when playing at high speed you have to think differently from when you are playing at slower tempos. By this I mean you have to think rhythmically in larger chunks of time. So rather than setting a metronome to one click for one note, or even two, three or four notes equaling one click, you are better off to start thinking in much larger groups of notes played for each click you hear. I call this method “Long Line Rhythm” and it’s one of the “secrets” of speed playing on the guitar whether you are using sweep picking or any other type of playing. To develop this skill purchase the MetroDrone audio files to help you develop blazing speed.

Additional Information:

• Digital Edition 978-1-59489-700-9
• Physical Edition not available
• 52 pages
• Please note: This book is also contained in “Truefire’s 50 Sweep Licks You Must Know.”

What people are saying:

• Killer book. These sweeps are awesome and once you get the hang of the technique the patterns fall easily under the fingers. Incredible amount of additional information about playing patterns and superimposing. A must own for any shredder! M. Goodwin
• I own this book and just purchased the “52 sweeps licks you must know” from Truefire.com which is by the same author. If you get the DVD don’t bother with this book because it’s included with the DVD. That said, Arnold’s sweeps are top notch and he can play them too. Check out some of the knockout videos on youtube with him playing a Music Man Double Neck. I recommend it. A. Frankle
• Amazing amount of information in this book. Not only do you learn sweeps but you learn about the whole concept of sequencing and superimposition which can be applied to anything you play. J. Harvey
• Another great book from Mr. Arnold. Well organized and informative. If you want to get into sweep playing this book won’t disappoint. T. Mann.

Make Sweeps part of your repertoire and turn some heads with this great sound!

Status: Digital book is available for immediate access.

Recommended books to use with 52 Sweeps Patterns for Guitar

• Rhythm Ear Training
• Music Theory Workbook for Guitar Volume One
• Ear Training One Note Complete
• Contextual Ear Training
• Music Theory Recognition Audio Files
• Rhythm Primer

What should I work on after 52 Sweeps Patterns for Guitar?

• Chord Workbook for Guitar Volume Two

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