Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago

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3-note arpeggios (4 octaves) - ALL BLACK & WHITE KEYS
NOTES FINGERINGS
C E G LH: 542 RH: 123
C Eb G LH: 542 RH: 123
C Eb Gb LH: 542 RH: 123
C Eb Ab LH: 542 RH: 124
C Eb A LH: 542 RH: 124
C E A LH: 542 RH: 124
C F A LH: 532 RH: 124
C F# A LH: 532 RH: 124
C F Ab LH: 532 RH: 123
C E Ab LH: 542 RH: 124
C E G LH: 542 RH: 123

C# F G# LH: 532 RH: 123
C# E G# LH: 542 RH: 123
C# E G LH: 542 RH: 123
C# E A LH: 542 RH: 124
C# E A# LH: 542 RH: 124
C# F A# LH: 542 RH: 124
C# F# A# LH: 532 RH: 124
C# G A# LH: 532 RH: 124
C# F# A LH: 532 RH: 123
C# F A LH: 542 RH: 124
C# F G# LH: 532 RH: 123

D F# A LH: 532 RH: 123
D F A LH: 542 RH: 123
D F Ab LH: 542 RH: 123
D F Bb LH: 542 RH: 124
D F B LH: 542 RH: 124
D F# B LH: 542 RH: 124
D G B LH: 532 RH: 124
D G# B LH: 532 RH: 123
D G Bb LH: 532 RH: 123
D F# Bb LH: 542 RH: 124
D F# A LH: 542 RH: 123

…And so on for Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, and B
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19yM6xmg4kEeYcNnXc4pGVWxnSeBibIiqsbBqvzRnWYA/edit?usp=sharing

4-note arpeggios (3 octaves) - WHITE KEYS ONLY
All fingerings - RH: 5432 LH: 1234
C E G Bb
C Eb Gb Ab
C Eb F A
C D F# A
C E G B
C Eb G Ab
C E F A
C Db F Ab
C Eb Gb A
C E G Bb

D F# A C
D F Ab Bb
D F G B
D E G# B
D F# A C#
D F A Bb
D F# G B
D Eb G Bb
D F Ab B
D F# A C

E G# B D
E G Bb C
E G A C#
E F# A# C#
E G# B D#
E G B C
E G# A C#
E F A C
E G A# C#
E G# B D

…And so on for F, G, A and B

This exercise covers all of the common arpeggios, and the hand positions required to play them, found in piano repertoire. The 3-note arpeggios cycle through every major, minor and diminished arpeggio, in every inversion with every possible fingering. For example - the Ab major chord is played in 1st inversion in the C cycle, (C Eb Ab), in 2nd inversion in the Eb cycle (Eb Ab C), and finally in root position in the Ab cycle (Ab C Eb). Each of these 3 permutations places the fingers on different notes; for example the thumb plays on the C, Eb and Ab. This gives the fingers an incredible amount of dexterity when maneuvering around the keyboard. The 4-note arpeggios cycle through every dominant 7th chord and major 7th chord, again in every inversion, in all of the white keys.

"This exercise is not only about arpeggios, but about fluent wrists and mastering keyboard topography. It is the center of technique for advanced students, and will also encourage flexibility in expression (fluent rubato in Chopin, for example) and physically enable a range of touches." - a comment from my piano teacher Andrew Wright, who showed me this exercise.

Some tips:
1. Keep a steady tempo, always. Start extremely slow, then slowly increase speed.
2. Never "play through" wrong notes, but to stop and fix them, or even better, start the arpeggio over, slightly slower. I used a metronome frequently for the first few months of practicing this.
3. Always keep each finger curved and rigid, never allow the finger to collapse, even when awkwardly playing on black keys. This will build up the finger strength needed to implement these arpeggios at fast speeds in pieces.
4. Play the 3 note arpeggios with rhythmic intonation in 4, and the 4 note arpeggios with rhythmic intonation in 3.

My general tips on improving technique:
1. Work on scales, chromatic scales, 3-note and 4-note arpeggios, octaves
3. Always learn repertoire that pushes you technically
4. Never allow wrong notes in the practice room, pieces or technique drills
5. Practice until your arms and wrists are sore, and then KEEP PRACTICING - this strengthens muscles in the long run
6. Frequently practice with a metronome

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