Guitar Logic

60 Bonus - July 2025 - I-ii-V Picado Runs

Added 2025-07-30 14:40:53 +0000 UTC

Here’s a set of exercises I’ve been practicing a lot lately. They’re designed to help improve your apoyando (or picado), tirando, or general picking technique.

What I created is a two-bar I–ii–V progression in G major. The first bar features a G major chord, and the second bar moves through Am7 to D7. On the last two beats of the D7 chord, there’s a line of eight sixteenth notes played using the apoyando (or picado) technique.

I then created six more variations of that same line, some with added sixteenth notes before it, and others with some notes removed. This gives you different rhythmic entry points and helps build control and precision.

In addition, I’ve included five different runs, each with seven variations, so there’s plenty to explore here. I suggest practicing each line in a loop, repeating it many times until it feels natural and fluid in your right hand. Be sure to start each one with your index finger, and then again starting with your middle finger, to develop balanced technique.

As you loop the exercises, you’ll notice that the first note of each line also functions as the final note of the sixteenth-note phrase in the second bar, essentially acting as a landing note that brings you back to G major.

Beyond strengthening your picado, this exercise is also excellent for developing timing and for fitting dense groups of notes cleanly into a two-bar phrase. Feel free to be creative, make your own variations and try using different harmonies as well.