arpeutumisena

Arpeutumisena is a musical technique in which the notes of a chord are sounded in succession rather than simultaneously. Also called arpeggiation or arpeggio in English, it creates a rapid roll that outlines the harmony. The notes can be played rising (ascending) or falling (descending), and performers may vary the order for expressive effect. In written music, arpeutumisena is usually indicated by a vertical wavy line before the chord or by the instruction arpegg. The effect can be achieved on many instruments, particularly the piano, guitar, harpsichord, and strings, with technique and timbre shaping the realization.

On piano, arpeutumisena allows a chord to be played in one hand or distributed between hands, often spanning a wide range. On guitar, arpeggios are common in accompaniment patterns and melodies. In orchestral and ensemble writing, arpeggiated figures provide continuous motion and help illuminate harmonic progression. The concept has its historical roots in harp technique, which uses rolling chords; the term arpeggio reflects this harp-like effect. The practice matured through the Baroque and Classical periods and remains widespread in Romantic and modern music, supporting both tonal clarity and textural richness.

In performance practice, arpeutumisena can guide the listener through harmonic changes, create color through timbre, and connect chord tones over time. In contemporary usage, arpeggios appear as carefully composed figures or as improvised material across various genres, from classical to jazz and popular music.