Putting Arpeggios Into Action

Part 1: Basic Arpeggios

In a previous lesson, we covered arpeggios from the perspective of playing all available chord tones within a particular position.

In this lesson, we'll practice playing the arpeggios again. This time, we'll play them along with a backing track to ensure we've gotten comfortable with the forms.

Finally, we'll practice along with backing tracks that switch from one chord to another. And therefore from one arpeggio to another.

The Process for Creating Arpeggios

1. Choose a set of chords: A^-7, D^-7, B^-7♭5, E⁷
2. Choose a position on the guitar (for example, Position V)
3. For each chord, spell out all of the notes in it.
4. Now for each chord, play the arpeggio in position, from lowest available to highest available.

The Chords

The Arpeggios (V^th Position)

A^-7 Arpeggio

Note the similarity of the A^-7 arpeggio with a pentatonic minor scale.

A- Backing Track

D^-7 Arpeggio

D- Backing Track

B^-7♭5 Arpeggio

B^-7♭5 Backing Track

E⁷ Arpeggio

Putting it All Together

Once you can play the arpeggios together smoothly, you can hopefully practice switching from one arpeggio to another. Once you get fluent and comfortable with this exercise, you'll find that as you improvise along with the track, you'll be able to easily target the notes of the chord in your own solo.

Key Tasks

• Practice the arpeggios carefully, making sure the notes don't blend together.
• Name the notes as you practice—understanding the notes is key to arpeggio practice.
• Apply this process to the chords of an entirely different chord progression—but stay in the V^th position, at least for now. You should spell the chords and create the arpeggios yourself. That is crucial to understanding them.

Part 2: Advanced Substitutions

In a previous lesson, we covered arpeggios from the perspective of playing all available chord tones within a particular position.

In this lesson, we'll practice playing the arpeggios again. This time, we'll add tensions to make the arpeggio patterns sound more interesting.

We'll also remove the root of the chord from the arpeggio, as it will most likely be heard in the bass as well as the chords of the backing track, so there is not a strong need for it in the melody.

The result will actually be another chord's arpeggio, superimposed over the original chord.

Finally, we'll practice along with backing tracks that switch from one chord to another. And therefore from one arpeggio to another.

The Process for Creating Arpeggios

1. Choose a set of chords. In this case we chose A^-9, D^-9, B^{-7♭5(♭13)}, and E^7♭9
2. Choose a position on the guitar (for example, Position V)
3. For each chord, spell out all of the notes in it.
4. Add the tensions. Optionally, subtract a note (either the root or fifth, whichever is closer) to make room for the tension. If you add two tensions, you now have a 6-note "arpeggio", which is an awful lot like a scale. Unless you subtract some chord tones.
5. Now for each chord, play the arpeggio in position, from lowest available to highest available.

The Chords

You may notice that these changes actually result in the formation of a new arpeggio. For instance, the arpeggio of A^-9 turns into C^maj7 if you subtract the root note A.

The Arpeggios (V^th Position)

A^-9 (C^maj7 Arpeggio)

D^-9 (F^maj7 Arpeggio)

B^{-7♭5(♭13)} Arpeggio

E⁷ (G♯^°7 Arpeggio)

Putting it All Together

Once you can play the arpeggios together smoothly, you can hopefully practice switching from one arpeggio to another. Once you get fluent and comfortable with this exercise, you'll find that as you improvise along with the track, you'll be able to easily target the notes of the chord in your own solo.

Key Tasks

• Practice the arpeggios carefully, making sure the notes don't blend together.
• Name the notes as you practice— understanding the notes is key to arpeggio practice.
• Apply this process to the chords of an entirely different chord progression—but stay in the V^th position, at least for now. You should spell the chords and create the arpeggios yourself. That is crucial to understanding them.