Arpeggios are the notes of a chord played individually, rather than simultaneously, forming a "broken chord" that outlines the chord tone by tone.
- Arpeggio: Notes of a chord played in sequence, not all at once.
- Connects harmony and melody by turning chords into playable, singable lines.
- Used in solos, accompaniments, and as a bridge between chords.
Arpeggios are chords played one note at a time.
Arpeggios connect the chord tones to melodic ideas.
Major and Minor Arpeggios
Major arpeggios use Root, Major Third, and Perfect Fifth.
Minor arpeggios swap the major third for a minor third.
Major arpeggios use the notes Root, Major Third, and Perfect Fifth. Minor arpeggios swap the third for a Minor Third, keeping Root and Fifth.
- Major Arpeggio = R, 3, 5
- Minor Arpeggio = R, ♭3, 5
- Played ascending, descending, or in patterns across strings.
They are common in solos, improvisation, and chord-melody contexts.
Arpeggios for Seventh and Extended Chords
A 'Seventh' note is added to the basic triad for seventh chord arpeggios.
Arpeggios for extended chords include the added tones (9th, 11th, etc.)
Arpeggios for seventh chords add the seventh (e.g., Major7 = R, 3, 5, 7; Minor7 = R, ♭3, 5, ♭7). Extended chord arpeggios include extra tones like the 9th or 11th.
- Seventh Arpeggio: R, 3, 5, 7 (or ♭7 for minor7)
- Extended Arpeggio: Add 9th, 11th, etc. as needed
A dominant 7th arpeggio includes Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh.
Seventh and extended chord arpeggios help soloists and improvisers clearly outline complex harmonies.