There are many ways to break up chords into various patterns, including the open-voiced arpeggio, the 2-1 and 3-1 breakups, the pentatonic run, the Alberti bass, the Kansas City Bass, and on and on. But one of the best ways to get a contemporary and professional sound in your right hand is to use the 4-note “straddle” technique.

Instead of playing all 4 notes of a chord at once, you play just 2 and straddle the note inbetween. Then invert the chord up or down and do the same on the next inversion. It sounds complicated, but you’ll understand it when you watch this short video: