Picking Patterns
Here are some picking patterns (arpeggios) that you can use to add more to songs.
Pick the strings in the order shown while holding a chord (A string = 1, E string = 2, C string = 3, and G string = 4).
- 4 2 3 1 (repeat as needed)
- 1 2 3 1 2 4 (repeat as needed) Used in: Herb Ohta Jr.’s version of Europa and Jake Shimabukuro’s version of While my Guitar Gently Weeps
- 3 2 4 1 4 2 (repeat as needed)
If you have a unique picking pattern, please feel free to share it with us. Just submit it in the comment box below and we will put it on this page, giving you credit.











