Triad Arpeggios - All Inversions

Below are arpeggios for major triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

Notice the similarity between the arpeggio and the major chord of the same name.

F Major Arpeggio, Root Position

F Major Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

F Major Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

The "C" on the high E string can be moved to the second string for easier fingering.

Key Tasks

• Memorize all major arpeggio patterns.
• Practice the patterns with a metronome; the 6-note beat grouping is often used for triad arpeggios.
• You can also apply the arpeggios over an F chord.
• You can apply these triads in many ways, such as by stacking one triad on top of another.

Below are arpeggios for minor triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

F Minor Arpeggio, Root

F Minor Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

F Minor Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

The "F" on the low E string can be moved to the 5^th string for easier fingering.

Key Tasks

• Memorize all minor arpeggio patterns.
• Practice the patterns with a metronome; the 6-note beat grouping is often used for triad arpeggios.
• You can also apply the arpeggios over an F- chord.

Below are arpeggios for augmented triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

F Augmented Arpeggio, Root

The "F" on the high E string can alternately be played on the second string.

F Augmented Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

F Augmented Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

Wait, what's going on here?

You'll be pleased to know that the augmented structure is symmetrical, which means that when it's inverted, the shape is the same. That's because the structure is built using only major thirds. Whenever you build a structure using only one interval, it will be symmetrical.

Key Tasks

• Practice the arpeggios over an F⁺, F^maj7♯5, or F^7♯11 chord.
• Practice all of the "different" arpeggios.
• Find out: what augmented arpeggios are equal to F augmented?
• Find out: in total, how many unique augmented arpeggios exist?

Below are arpeggios for diminished triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

G Diminished Arpeggio, Root

G Diminished Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

G Diminished Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

The second note, "G", can be optionally moved to the fifth string.

Key Tasks

• Memorize all diminished patterns.
• Practice the patterns with a metronome; the 6-note beat grouping is often used for triad arpeggios.
• You can also apply the arpeggios over any F^o chord.

Below are arpeggios for sus2 triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

F Suspended 2^nd Arpeggio, Root

Can be played in position I or position XIII (as below).

F Suspended 2^nd Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

The "G" on the high E string can be moved to the 2^nd string.

F Suspended 2^nd Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

The "F" on the low E string can also be played on the 5^th string for easier fingering.

Key Tasks

• Memorize all sus2 patterns.
• Practice the patterns with a metronome; the 6-note beat grouping is often used for triad arpeggios.
• You can also apply the arpeggios over an F^sus2 chord.

Below are arpeggios for sus4 triads, all inversions. Learn them all, and then learn to apply them all to your playing.

F Suspended 4^th Arpeggio, Root

Can be played in position I or position XIII (as below).

F Suspended 4^th Arpeggio, 1^st Inversion

F Suspended 4^th Arpeggio, 2^nd Inversion

Key Tasks

• Memorize all sus4 patterns.
• Practice the patterns with a metronome; the 6-note beat grouping is often used for triad arpeggios.
• You can also apply the arpeggios over any F^sus4 chord.