Arpeggiator (dir, hold, octave)

▸What it is

An arpeggiator takes a held chord and turns it into a sequence of single notes — playing the chord one note at a time in a chosen direction, rate, and octave range. Direction sets the order: up plays low-to-high, down plays high-to-low, up/down bounces, random shuffles. Hold latches the chord so you do not have to keep your fingers down. Octave range stretches the pattern across multiple octaves before repeating. The result is rhythm from a static gesture — three keys held becomes a moving line. Arps depend on a rate, which is where tempo sync comes in: without it, the arp drifts against the song.

▸Questions

• Up vs up/down — when does each work?

  Up has more drive and forward motion; up/down feels more like a melodic figure that breathes. Try both on any chord and pick by feel.

• Why does the arp need hold mode?

  Without hold, the arp stops the moment you lift the chord. Hold latches the notes so you can play other parts (or change the patch) while the arp keeps moving.

• How does the octave range interact with rate?

  Higher octave range means more notes per pattern, which can feel either busier or slower per octave depending on rate. Two octaves at 1/16 is a classic arpeggio rhythm.

▸In the curriculum

First taught

AR1 · Make it move — Hold a chord, switch on the arp (up/down/random, hold). Part of the Arp track.

Reused in

The same concept comes back in 2 lessons later in the curriculum, in a new context.

▸Related concepts

Concepts that share a lesson with arpeggiator (dir, hold, octave):