arpeggio

[ar-PEJ-ee-oh (English) / ar-pe-JI-o (Portuguese)]
nounmasculinepl: arpeggios (English) / arpejos (Portuguese)
arpejos
1. A musical technique where the notes of a chord are played sequentially, one after another, rather than simultaneously
The pianist played an arpeggio across the entire keyboard.
A pianista tocou um arpejo em toda a extensão do teclado.
2. In guitar playing, the technique of strumming the strings one at a time instead of all together
He used an arpeggio technique to create a more delicate sound on the guitar.
Ele usou a técnica de arpejo para criar um som mais delicado no violão.
In Brazilian music culture, arpeggios are particularly important in bossa nova guitar playing and classical guitar traditions. The term 'arpejo' is widely understood among musicians and music students across Brazil. The technique is fundamental in both samba and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) guitar styles.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
broken chordrolled chordarpejo (Portuguese)
Antonyms / Antônimos
chordstrum (in some contexts)

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
arpejo
Standard term used in music education and performance
Rio de Janeiro
arpejo
Common in bossa nova and samba music contexts
São Paulo
arpejo
Used in classical and contemporary music instruction
Portugal
arpejo
Same term used; sometimes may hear 'acorde rolado' (rolled chord)

Related Words

chordnotemusical techniqueharpglissandoacorde (Portuguese for chord)

Related Idioms & Phrases

tocar em arpejo (to play in arpeggio style)
executar um arpejo (to execute an arpeggio)
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