How to practice 1.1 million arpeggios

[maxim3]

How do you practice 1.1 million arpeggios?

The question may seem a bit silly, but it is based on a very sober calculation performed by professional pianist and teacher Samantha Coates (see link below for the full article, which is very brief, concise, and clearly written). Basically she worked out how many forms of playable, non-outrageous arpeggios there might be including seventh chords, all inversions, with different articulations, rhythmic and dynamic variations, etc.

Her conservative answer was: 1,150,500 (one million, one hundred fifty thousand, five hundred).

Of course in the real world nobody can cover all combinations of everything. So I am simply wondering if there exist any ready-made arpeggio practice plans which incorporate a few different ways to practice? Perhaps some of you have some interesting routines?


https://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/how-many-arpeggios-are-there-really/

[klavieronin]

I'd say 1 million is a pretty low-ball estimation. There are all sorts of variables you could thrown in there besides articulations, dynamics, and the other things she talked about.

Personally, I think scales and arpeggios are for knowing rather than for practicing. Obviously some practice is necessary in the beginning but once you are familiar enough with the various triads and seventh chords in all there inversions so that you don't have to think about what notes they have I don't see the need to spend much time on them after that. Maybe just a little refresher every now and then. You can get plenty of arpeggio practice by choosing the right repertoire.

As for articulations, dynamics, etc., if you wanted to practice all those things I would look for some way to pick certain combos at random. Maybe with a spinning wheel or dice or something. No point trying to cover everything. You'd never get any time for your repertoire.

[Sorry, I know that doesn't really answer your question. Just my two cents.]