Hey Friend,

I pulled this one out of the archives for today…

When you want an arpeggio-based song in a very pure form, you don’t need to look further than Johann Pachelbel’s "Canon in D.” 

Not only is it beautiful, but it provides you with an exceptional example of arpeggiated chords. You’ve likely heard it at almost every wedding you’ve gone to...

Interesting thing about canons - if you have a practice buddy, you both can play the same passage, offsetting the start by 1 measure.

So your buddy begins playing, and when they get to the second measure, you start playing from the beginning. So the effect is that you are imitating what was played.

Think about when you were a kid and teachers split the class into groups and had you sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” The first group started off singing, and when they reached the second line, the next group started singing, and so on.

This is the exact idea behind the canon technique. Many composers have used this over the years, and it still finds its way into modern music, particularly in choruses. I was directed to a good example from Don McLean called the "Waters of Babylon.” 

You probably don’t know this song (unless you have American Pie on album), but you know the title song. 

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try playing along with Laura and her band - Canon Rock. 

Otherwise, just play this exercise. It’s a nice slow tempo, perfect for getting the technique and chord changes down.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D Exercise PDF

Pachelbel’s Canon in D Exercise MP3

Hope you have a chill Sunday!

Peace~

Dave