Arpeggio picking involves playing chords in single notes rather than strums. For example, hold an open C chord and pick each string in the following order:
(Note that a triplet rhythm is being used)
This technique can be applied to either open or bar chords. As a general rule the first note picked (the bass note) will be the root note of the chord, followed by the first three strings as in the diagram (3 2 1 2 3). Try the following example, using arpeggio picking and open chord shapes.