# Sweep lab — arpeggios & combos

> Interactive page: [`sweep-lab.html`](sweep-lab.html) · Pick-path lessons: [`sweep.html`](sweep.html)

Build **CAGED sweep arpeggios** with metal-friendly **qualities**, optional **legato hammers**, and **multi-chord combination** tabs — practice **scale harmony** (chord tones inside a key). See [Sweep · scales job](sweep.md#scales-job), [Scales](scales.md), [CAGED](caged.md).

Pick controls first; tab and **Play loop** update below in the same card. A **moving bar** on the TAB follows the sounding note. Tempo follows the practice-bar **BPM**; **note value** sets sixteenths (four per beat), eighths (two per beat, default), or quarters (one per beat).

**Path:** [Open-string sweep](sweep.md) → this lab → [Solo drills · sweep](drills-solo.md#sweep)

## Sweep lab · one card

Controls at the top, then the generated tab and play button. One combined diagram per selection: down sweep left → right, up sweep right → left. Footer rows: **LH** finger, **RH** D/U/h, note names. Progression mode adds a **chord-name row** above the strings.

## Controls

| Control | Options |
|---------|---------|
| Mode | **One chord** · **Progression combo** |
| Strings | 3, 4, 5, or 6 |
| Neck region | Low · Mid · High · Top (15th–19th) |
| Legato hammers | On (default) · Off |
| Note value | Sixteenths · Eighths (default) · Quarters — still locked to practice-bar BPM |
| Root + quality + shape | One-chord mode only |
| Auto shape | Picks the smoothest CAGED door for region |
| Key + scale + chord ticks | Progression mode |

### Qualities (metal / neoclassical)

| Quality | Use |
|---------|-----|
| Major / Minor | Triads — spine of any sweep line |
| Major 7 / Minor 7 / Dominant 7 | Jazz-metal, Yngwie-style 7th sweeps |
| Minor maj7 | Neoclassical minor with major 7th |
| Diminished / Dim 7 | Symmetrical stacks (move ±3 frets) |
| m7♭5 | Half-dim — locrian / metal vii sound |
| Augmented / Sus 4 | Colour tones |

Barre fret is **computed** from root + shape + region ([CAGED](caged.md)). **Am shape · High** matches [Sweep picking · Am fingering](sweep.md#am-fingering--12th-fret-barre-lessons-49) at fret 12.

### Legato hammers

When **Legato** is on, the lab adds unpicked hammer-ons without repeating the **same MIDI pitch** (octave-aware):

- **Low E or A string** — pick a lower chord tone, hammer to the voicing (e.g. A12→h15). Skipped if that exact pitch already appeared.
- **D / G / B** — voicing pick only (no pick–hammer, so C from A12h15 is not duplicated on D10h14 at the same octave).
- **High e** — after the voicing pick, reach hammer (e.g. e12→h17) when that **octave** is new — G14’s A is an octave lower, so **e17** still counts.

Turn legato off for pure picked sweeps only.

## Progression combinations

Pick a **key** and **scale** (natural minor, harmonic minor, or major). Tick diatonic chords — order = left-to-right in the tab. **Auto shape** shifts each voicing to stay near the previous chord (voice-leading).

**Presets:**

| Preset | Chords |
|--------|--------|
| Am · C · Bdim | i – III – ii° in A minor (classic cell) |
| Am · C · G · F | i – III – VII – VI neoclassical |
| Am · F · G · Am | i – VI – VII – i cadence |
| Am · E · Am | i – V – i (harmonic minor) |
| Bdim · Ddim · Fdim | Dim7 chain (+3 frets each — symmetrical) |

Real sweep solos chain shapes through progressions ([Guitar World · Batio](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/time-burn-michael-angelo-batio-applying-sweep-picking-chord-progressions-part-2-video), diminished symmetry per [Fundamental Changes](https://www.fundamental-changes.com/the-diminished-arpeggio-in-heavy-metal-guitar/)).

## String groups

| Strings | Group |
|---------|--------|
| 3 | G – B – e |
| 4 | D – G – B – e |
| 5 | A – D – G – B – e |
| 6 | E – A – D – G – B – e |

## Left hand · one note at a time

[Plant, pick, release](sweep.md) — one fingertip per attack; mute after each note speaks. Do not hold a barre while sweeping.

## Practice note

Use after open-string sweeps are even. Try **one chord** (Am m7, high region, 5 strings), then preset **Am · C · Bdim**. Same left-hand habit as [Solo drills · sweep](drills-solo.md#sweep).

Then: [Break rut · sweep chain](break-rut.md#sweep-chain)