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.