Closed Triads & Cross Picking
Strengthen your technique with focused exercises on synchronization, triads, crosspicking, and arpeggios across multiple string sets and positions. This week’s routine builds on core concepts with fresh challenges, a no-talk playalong, and new Guitar Pro resources for flexible practice.
Minor Triads & b3 to 3 Movement
Shift between major and minor triads across E, C, and A shapes while tackling a I–vi–ii–V progression to develop smooth voice leading. You’ll also explore the expressive b3 to 3 melodic motif—an essential ingredient in bluesy phrasing and melodic improvisation.
Triplets Pt. 1
Triplet timing takes center stage as we explore alternate picking strategies and rhythmic control across mixed subdivisions. By moving fluidly between 16th notes, triplets, and swing patterns, we build precision, adaptability, and a deeper internal sense of time.
Triplets Pt. 2
We build rhythmic endurance and precision by shifting between 16th notes and triplets, with a special focus on double picking and pentatonic phrasing. These exercises challenge your timing, picking consistency, and finger control while reinforcing rhythmic flexibility across the fretboard.
Review Session
This week we hit pause to reflect, reconnect with the material, and reassess our progress across 35 routines. Using triads from Signed, Sealed, Delivered as a musical anchor, we’re reminded that practice is about depth, not speed—and real growth comes from truly knowing, not just doing.
Add9 & Minor 9s
Minor add9 and m9 arpeggios take center stage this week, offering lush colors and melodic depth across the fretboard. By using Ebmaj7 as a 3–9 substitution and connecting lines into G7alt resolutions, this routine builds modern phrasing and harmonic fluency from the ground up.
Pentatonic Picking Primer
This session sharpens alternate picking through two-note-per-string pentatonic patterns, focusing on inside and outside string crossings for clean execution. With rhythmic variation, flipped mechanics, and full-range scale runs, the routine builds control, coordination, and picking-hand endurance from the ground up.
Pentatonic Picking Continued
This routine blends picking precision with melodic variety by introducing direction changes and 9th extensions into classic two-note-per-string pentatonic shapes. With inside and outside string crossings, rhythmic offsets, and stretch licks, the focus is on refining control while expanding both sound and fretboard fluency.
Accepting Our Shortcomings
This high-energy session hones triplet-based pentatonic licks with a focus on alternate picking, speed, and left-hand precision. Drawing inspiration from Zakk Wylde, the routine blends technical drills with expressive phrasing and wide bends to build endurance and unleash aggressive soloing power.
Love Gun Solo
This solo study channels Ace Frehley’s lead from Love Gun to sharpen your alternate picking and pentatonic fluency. You’ll work across all five shapes while developing speed, control, and real-world musicality.
A MAJOR Arpeggio Workout
This week shifts our focus from learning to practicing, with 12 arpeggio-based workouts designed to build rhythmic clarity and control. It’s all about deepening your groove, not just adding more information.
Arpeggio Workout 2
These 10 licks build on last week’s cross-picking foundation, blending C, F, and G arpeggios into more fluid, melodic phrases. The focus is rhythmic control and harmonic color—not just running shapes.
Picking Marathon Pt. 1
This week’s routine targets alternate picking stamina using one sequence mapped across all five D Mixolydian positions—ascending and descending—for a total of 10 exercises that challenge your endurance as much as your accuracy.
Picking Marathon Pt. 2
This week continues the alternate picking stamina routine at a slightly slower 80bpm, now shifting to D Dorian to emphasize the ♭3 and reinforce long-term fretboard fluency through repetition and control.
Melodic Minor Magnet
This week kicks off our melodic minor focus, using a 4-note picking sequence across five keys in one position to train fretboard fluency, ear–hand connection, and real-time recall—no tab, no prep, just play.
Arpeggio April 3
This week’s all about building speed and consistency with ascending dominant 7 arpeggios—A7, D7, E7—played at 60, 75, and 90 bpm to train stamina, control, and smooth alternate picking across tempos.
Arpeggio April 3: Upper Structure Arpeggios
This session explores colorful arpeggio fragments within A13 harmony—starting from each chord tone of A7—to create melodic movement and expand beyond basic shapes. We’ll connect these fragments in three positions and finish with a musical line to lock in the concept.
Arpeggio April 3: Eugene’s Trick Bag Pt. 1
We’re tackling the iconic intro arpeggios from Eugene’s Trick Bag—but with strict alternate picking to build precision, consistency, and motion control. Over a six-chord progression (Am–E7–A7–Dm–Bdim7–Am), we’ll explore different fingerings and picking pathways to help internalize both the harmony and the technique.
Arpeggio April 3: Eugene’s Trick Bag Pt. 2
We’re diving deeper into Eugene’s Trick Bag, focusing on the remaining arpeggios—especially the tricky Dm shape. The goal is to alternate pick everything, no matter how awkward it feels. This is strength training for your picking hand, so resist the urge to sweep. Watch the fingerings, choose what works for you, and keep it consistent. We’re almost there—next week, we tie it all together.
Arpeggio April 3: Eugene’s Trick Bag Pt. 3
This week, we’re tying it all together—every arpeggio from Eugene’s Trick Bag in one full alternate picking workout. No new shapes, no surprises—just refining everything we’ve covered so far and pushing toward fluency and control. Watch your transitions, your tension, your technique. This is the moment where it all starts to click.
Descending Pentatonic Sequence
We’re digging into descending groups of four across the five pentatonic positions—an intense but focused picking workout. It’s all about clean execution, pick slanting, and developing control within familiar shapes.
Ascending Pentatonic Sequence
We’re flipping the script this week with ascending 4s through all five minor pentatonic shapes—a technical challenge that demands precision and control. With trickier picking patterns and more pinky rolls, this routine pushes you to clean up your motion and expand your comfort zone.
Obtuse Arpeggios
This week’s workout explores unusual 112 arpeggio shapes to challenge your picking and shifting control across all string sets. The goal is full-neck mobility—developing the freedom to move through arpeggios effortlessly, from position to position.
4ths Technical Workout
This routine is a focused technical workout built around 4th intervals—specifically diatonic 4ths in C major. We’re drilling across three scale shapes (A, E, and C), using a variety of picking strategies to target fretting hand rolls and string-crossing mechanics.
