arpeggio

play

noun ar·peg·gio \ är-ˈpe-jē-ˌō , -ˈpe-jō \

Definition of arpeggio

plural arpeggios

1 :production of the tones of a chord in succession and not simultaneously

2 :a chord played in arpeggio

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Examples of arpeggio in a Sentence

The guitarist warmed up with a few simple arpeggios.

Recent Examples of arpeggio from the Web

During a final episode the music becomes like a dance for Apu, all swirling arpeggios, fractured rhythms and myriad shadings.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: U.S. Youth Orchestra Inspires a Chinese Counterpart," 23 July 2017
A leading elder statesman in jazz, Mr. Coleman is known for his subtly adventurous solos, full of extended arpeggios; his keen but coolheaded tone; and a brief affiliation with the Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s that jump-started his career.

— New York Times, "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week," 15 June 2017
Their groove machine churns out powerful hooks, crisp keyboard arpeggios, and punchy bass lines reminiscent of their eighties predecessors New Order and Soft Cell.

— The New Yorker, "Holy Ghost!," 29 May 2017
As an encore, Mr. Hadelich played Paganini’s solo Caprice No. 1, a whirlwind of nonstop arpeggios, dispatched with precision and panache.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: A Fast-Rising Czech Conductor Leads the Philharmonic," 26 May 2017
The layers of acoustical and synthesized sound operate independently of each other; the acoustical portions were all over the stylistic map, from frenzied group exertions to airy waves of arpeggios.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago and Czech chamber groups join to celebrate Gypsy musical culture," 17 May 2017
Clarinets gurgle in arpeggios, because that’s what clarinets do.

— russell platt, The New Yorker, "Daniel Barenboim and the Music of Anton Bruckner," 3 Feb. 2017
All the hammering octaves and glittering runs and arpeggios were delivered without excessive showmanship, and in perfect taste.

— paul hodgins, Orange County Register, "Ax celebrates Schubert, Chopin," 25 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arpeggio.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of arpeggio

Italian, from arpeggiare to play on the harp, from arpa harp, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German harpha harp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1724

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ARPEGGIO Defined for English Language Learners

arpeggio

play

noun

Definition of arpeggio for English Language Learners

music : a chord in which the notes are played separately instead of at the same time

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