Learn How to Perfect Jason Richardson’s Top Six-String Arpeggio Exercises

Ernie Ball Music Man signature artist Jason Richardson has teamed up with Guitar World to give an inside look into his guitar playing techniques. In the latest episode, Richardson breaks down his elaborate six-string, two-octave arpeggio-playing techniques by demonstrating a modes-based application.

Richardson primarily utilizes a one-note-per-string approach, and further builds on how to achieve these arpeggios:

I generally prefer to not do any barring when moving from one note to the next, instead switching fretting fingers sequentially, as this eliminates any ringing together of consecutive notes. This approach results in some unusual fret-hand manipulations as I quickly pivot from, say, the index finger to the middle, then back to the index, or the middle to the ring to the index, as I play through an arpeggio shape.

Once you become accustomed to doing this, however, I believe you’ll appreciate the sonic benefits from what may at first feel a little awkward. Regarding the pick hand, I use strict alternate (down-up) picking technique as I ascend and descend across the six-string patterns. Just as eliminating barring prevents two notes from ringing together, avoiding the sweeping technique of dragging the pick across two or more adjacent strings in a single downward or upward motion will yield a cleaner and more precise performance, with clear articulation of each individual note.

The seven string shredder also features his guitar tabs within the lesson for easier navigation of these techniques.

For more details and a video of Richardson in action, check out the full article here.

2019 Jason Richardson Cutlass 7 Guitar

The Jason Richardson Artist Series Cutlass 7 string guitar features a Buckeye Burl top with trans alder body and Ernie Ball Music Man humbucking pickups. The figured roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard is highlighted with 24 medium jumbo stainless steel frets, 15-inch radius and a slender neck carve for fast playability. The Jason Richardson Cutlass contoured lower body horn is a unique feature allowing for extreme upper fret access to all 24 frets. Ernie Ball Music Man 7-string pickups are custom wound to Jason’s exact specifications offering heavy crunch rhythm tones and a clear, bright top end for endless soloing. Electronics include a volume control with up to 20dB of boost and push tone potentiometer, that via the 3-way pickup selector offer some exciting coil tapping options. Other specifications include an Ernie Ball Music Man floating Cutlass tremolo, all black hardware, and Schaller locking tuners. The neckplate is laser etched with a custom Jason Richardson signature logo to signify its artist series destination. Available July 2019 worldwide.