RAJ MOHAN

Hi everyone, my name is Raj and I'm we're gonna rip apart some very advanced, virtuosic techniques here. This lesson assumes you already know basic sweep arpeggios, and now we'll begin looking at how we can make them even crazier, faster and wilder, just like you!

The three licks below are in the key of Am. The first is a Dm arpeggio with added picked notes from the Am scale, on the high E string. This is very much in the vein of what Chris Impellitteri used to do, as it creates an accelerating feel at the top of your arpeggio. The second lick is an Am arpeggio with the seventh and first scale degrees (G and A) added as tapped notes, then it just reverses and descends. This is something you often hear in the work of George Bellas or Rusty Cooley. The last lick kind of combines these two ideas. It's an Am arpeggio that ascends up the high E string diatonically and then explodes with two notes tapped at the end, then it goes back down.

On the music below there are picking directions. D is for downstroke and U is for upstroke. The T's are for right hand taps, T2 is your right hand second finger, and T3 is your right hand third finger. On the audio clips each lick is played once slowly, then twice at full speed. Make sure to turn up your computer volume high, as these clips were recorded at a relatively low volume.

Remember, practice real slowly and use a metronome, all the cool kids are doing it. I know what you're thinking too, you're thinking “I'm not a cool kid, I'm a hot kid and a hot guitarist, I don't have to use a metronome!” ... but take my word for it, you'll be an even hotter guitarist if you do.

EX. 1

EX. 2

Ex. 3

Biography

Hi everyone, my name is Raj Mohan and I'm a guitar player and instructor from Los Angeles. Right now I'm working on recording my instrumental solo album, and I also play in the rock band Warrden. My favorite guitarists are Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Stump, Chris Impellitteri and Axel Rudi Pell. My favorite bands are Motley Crue, Meat Loaf, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Queen. My gear includes a Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster and Line6 PODs and amps. Please email me, raj@rajmohan.net, if you have any questions about this lesson or if you live in the L.A. area and are interested in lessons.