Operation Manual
4.3 Using the Strumming Keys 31
Music engraving by LilyPond 2.10.33—www.lilypond.org
Figure 16: Scratching with the arp keys.
higher or the same note as the bass key (arp 6 key). The most useful arp keys are therefore usually
the bass, arp 4, arp 3 and arp 2 keys (E5, G5, A5 and B5). A good position to play arpeggios is to
use the thumb to play the bass, the index to play the arp 4 key, the middle finger for the arp 3 key,
the ring finger for the arp 2 key and finally the little finger for the arp 1 key. This position is similar
to that of a guitar player.
Here is a simple example of an arpeggio. Play a C chord (C-E-G) with the left hand, and then
use the right hand to trigger the Bass (E5), arp 4 (G5), arp 3 (A5) and arp 2 (B5) keys.
Music engraving by LilyPond 2.10.33—www.lilypond.org
Figure 17: A simple arpeggio.
When playing arpeggios, it might be interesting to use Lowest chord types in order to obtain
a motion of the bass. To try this, set the Type from the Chord section to Lowest and play the
arpeggio from the preceding example using the following chord progression: C (C-E-G), CMaj7/B
(B-C-E-G), C7/B[ (B[-C-E-G) and Am7 (A-C-E-G).
Music engraving by LilyPond 2.10.33—www.lilypond.org
Figure 18: Bass motion and arpeggios.