Arpeggios for seventh and extended chords are a way of playing the individual notes of complex chords—such as major sevenths, dominant sevenths, minor sevenths, and extended chords like ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths—in a sequential, flowing manner. This approach not only highlights the distinctive color and richness of these chords but also provides a melodic and harmonic foundation for improvisation and composition.
- Include notes from seventh and beyond (9th, 11th, 13th) in the arpeggio sequence.
- Highlight the unique tones that each additional note brings to the chord’s sound.
- Are commonly used in jazz, fusion, R&B, and contemporary music for their sophisticated sound.
They incorporate notes beyond the basic triad, such as 7ths and extensions.
Seventh and extended chord arpeggios are especially popular in jazz and fusion.
Seventh Chord Basics
Seventh chords add a fourth note to the basic triad, creating richer harmony. The most common types of seventh chords are:
- Major Seventh (Δ7): Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Major 7th
- Dominant Seventh (7): Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th
- Minor Seventh (m7): Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th
- Half-Diminished (m7♭5): Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th, Minor 7th
- Fully Diminished (°7): Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th, Diminished 7th
A dominant seventh chord includes Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, and Minor 7th.
A major seventh interval is added to the triad to form a major seventh chord.
Extended Chord Basics
Extended chords stretch beyond the seventh by adding 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, which are essentially scaled-up versions of 2, 4, and 6:
- 9th chord: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
- 11th chord: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
- 13th chord: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13
A 9th chord includes Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th.
The 13th is the last note added in a 13th chord.
Arpeggiating Seventh and Extended Chords
When you arpeggiate seventh and extended chords, you play their individual chord tones one after another, rather than strumming them all at once. This illuminates the unique sound of each note in the harmony.
Seventh Chord Arpeggios
Include the four chord tones: root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th.
- Example: For Cmaj7, the arpeggio = C - E - G - B
- Example: For C7 (dominant), the arpeggio = C - E - G - Bb
Extended Chord Arpeggios
Add the extension tones to the sequence. You can play them up to the highest note your instrument/setup allows.
- Example: For C9, the arpeggio might be C - E - G - Bb - D
- Example: For C13, the arpeggio might be C - E - G - Bb - D - A
A seventh chord arpeggio includes four notes.
In a C9 chord, you arpeggiate C, E, G, Bb, and D.
Guitar Application: C Major 7 and C9 Arpeggios
C Major 7 Arpeggio (Δ7):
Notes: C - E - G - B
Common Guitar Shape (Root on 6th string):
```
e|--------7--------|
B|-----8-----------|
G|--9--------------|
D|-----------------|
A|-----------------|
E|--8--------------| (C on E string, B on A string)
```
C9 Arpeggio:
Notes: C - E - G - B♭ - D
Guitar Shape (Root on 5th string):
```
e|--------10-------|
B|-----8-----------| (D on B string)
G|--9--------------|
D|--10-------------|
A|--8--------------|
E|-----------------|
```
B is added to form a Cmaj7 arpeggio.
The C9 arpeggio includes C, E, G, Bb, and D.
Conclusion
Arpeggiating seventh and extended chords unveils their unique sonic textures and deepens your understanding of harmony. It’s a powerful skill for improvisation, composition, and adding sophistication to your playing.
- Use 4 notes for seventh chord arpeggios (Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th).
- Add 9th, 11th, 13th for extended chord arpeggios.
- Practice common shapes on guitar to integrate theory with technique.
Four notes are played in a seventh chord arpeggio.
A C13 arpeggio includes C, E, G, Bb, D, and A.
Extended chord arpeggios are most common in Jazz and Fusion.