Arpeggio And Chords Connection
Arpeggios are a fundamental aspect of music theory and play a pivotal role in creating expressive melodies, harmonies, and improvisations across various musical genres. In this exploration of basic arpeggios, we will learn how to connect Maj7, 7, min7, m7b5, dim7, min6, and 6 arpeggios (by moving only one note at a time) and how to make the link with basic chord shapes.
Basic Arpeggio Formulas
Firstable, here are the seven arpeggios and chords used in this exercise.
Major 7 Arpeggio
The Maj7 arpeggio, short for Major 7th arpeggio, is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a major seventh chord. It consists of the root note (1), the major third (3), the perfect fifth (5), and the major seventh (7) of the corresponding major scale. The resulting sound is rich, harmonically stable, and has a bright, lush quality.
Dominant 7 Arpeggio
The Dominant 7 arpeggio, often referred to as the “7” or “dominant seventh,” is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a dominant seventh chord. It consists of the root note (1), the major third (3), the perfect fifth (5), and the minor seventh (b7). The sound of the Dominant 7 arpeggio is characterized by a strong sense of tension and instability, making it a crucial component in chord progressions and musical resolutions.
Minor 7 Arpeggio
The Minor 7 arpeggio, also written as “min7” or “m7,” is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a minor seventh chord. It consists of the root note (1), the minor third (b3), the perfect fifth (5), and the minor seventh (b7). The Minor 7 arpeggio has a distinct and melancholic sound characterized by its minor third and minor seventh intervals, which give it a somber and introspective quality.
Half-diminished Arpeggio
The m7b5 arpeggio, also known as the half-diminished arpeggio, is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a half-diminished seventh chord. It consists of the root note (1), the minor third (b3), the diminished fifth (b5) (also called the “flatted fifth” or “tritone”), and the minor seventh (b7). The m7b5 arpeggio has a unique and somewhat dissonant sound, often associated with tension and mystery.
Diminished 7 Arpeggio
The Dim7 arpeggio, also known as fully diminished seventh arpeggio, is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a fully diminished seventh chord. It consists of the root note (1), the minor third (b3), the diminished fifth (b5), and the diminished seventh (bb7) of the corresponding diminished scale. The Dim7 arpeggio has a distinctive and highly dissonant sound due to the presence of two stacked minor thirds.
Minor 6 Arpeggio
The min6 arpeggio, also known as minor sixth arpeggio, is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a minor sixth chord. It consists of the root note (1), the minor third (b3), the perfect fifth (5), and the major sixth (6). The min6 arpeggio has a sweet and somewhat jazzy sound, combining the qualities of a minor chord with the added richness of a major sixth interval.
Sixth Arpeggio
The 6 arpeggio, also known as major sixth arpeggio, is a four-note chord arpeggio derived from a major sixth chord. It consists of the root note (1), the major third (3), the perfect fifth (5), and the major sixth (6). The 6 arpeggio has a bright and cheerful sound, characterized by the inclusion of the major sixth interval, which imparts a sense of openness and positivity to the music.
The Exercise
The exercise that you can hear in the YouTube Short video consists in playing inversions of the seven arpeggios listed above, making them arpeggio patterns with the fifth in the bass (5 or b5). Here they are represented on the guitar neck alongside their related inverted drop 2 chords (5th in the bass).
- Amaj7 arpeggio (5-7-1-3) and Amaj7/E chord
- A7 arpeggio (5-b7-1-3) and A7/E chord
- Amin7 arpeggio (5-b7-1-b3) and Am7/E chord
- Am7b5 arpeggio (b5-b7-1-b3) and Am7b5/Eb chord
- Adim7 (b5-bb7-1-b3) and Adim7/Eb chord
- Amin6 arpeggio (5-6-1-b3) and Amin6 chord
- Amaj6 arpeggio (5-6-1-3) and Maj6/E chord
All these arpeggio patterns are associated with drop 2 chord shapes with the 5th in the bass. Try to learn them by heart and then practice them in twelve keys anywhere on the guitar neck.
