Cool jazzy sound of the major 7th...
Here are the 5 positions of the Major 7th Arpeggios.
Note that the bracketed letter is the CAGED shape that the arpeggio is derived from. Make sure you practice playing the related chord, then the arpeggio and then the chord again - you should try and build a relationship between the two things (the chord and the arpeggio).
Fingering
The fingerings are suggestions - I suggest that you break them only if you have a logical reason to. Don't barré with your fingers - use the tips!
Arpeggio Formula
R ^ 3 ^ 5 ^ 7
(of The Major Scale)
This means that you will use the first, third, fifth and seventh degrees of The Major Scale.
Tips for learning arpeggios quickly, easily and perfectly
• DO IT SLOWLY AND GET IT RIGHT
Don't make any mistakes. Play it 4 times perfectly at a very slow speed and you will find you can speed it up without making mistakes and developing bad habits you will have to correct later.
• USE YOUR FINGER TIPS
Do not let your fingers "fold", use the tips the whole time, and definitely NO barrés at any point. Ever.
• ALWAYS START AND END ON THE LOWEST ROOT NOTE
T
his will help train your ears into hearing the sound of the major scale, very important. So start on the lowest (pitched) root note, play up as far as you can, then go back down as low as you can, and then back up to the root note.
• LEARN THE POSITIONS (SHAPES) ONE AT A TIME
It is very important that you get all five of these positions down... eventually, but please start with one at a time - much much better to be able to use one scale shape and play a solo than play five up and down and not be able to do anything with them :)
So what is all this CAGED stuff?
The CAGED system applies to arpeggios as well as scales and chords!
Get all the information you need about CAGED at TB-031 • The Caged System
Root Notes???
A root note gives the scale it's name. Look at any of the scales and arpeggios (and most chords) on this site and you will see an R on some notes. This is note that gives the scale it's note name.
For example
Look at Poistion 1 below and notice that the R is on the 6th string (played with the second finger). Whatever note you put that one becomes the name of the scale. So place your second finger at the 3rd fret and you will play the G Major 7 arpeggio (because the note on the 3rd fret of the 6th string is the note G). Place the second finger on the 9th fret and you will play the C Major 7th arpeggio (because the note at the 9th fret of the 6th string is the note C#)
The Arpeggio Shapes
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Position 1 - E shape Pretty straight forward this one... Alternatives |
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Position 2 - D shape This can be a little tricky to play, especially the 2rd string notes, but you will get used to it and it fits the chord shape well. Alternatives You could always experiment yourself and see what you find ;) |
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Position 3 - C shape Pretty easy position. Make sure you don't barré with the first finger, move it across as you go. Alternatives |
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Position 4 - A shape Little bit tricky on the 3rd string, but otherwise an easy shape. Alternatives Some people start with the first finger and stretch out for the next note with the little finger, but it makes the notes n the 3rd string harder to reach. |
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Position 5 - G shape A little bit stretchy, but not too bad :) Alternatives |
HELP!!!!
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If you need to ask a question about this lesson - there is a topic set up specifically to help you with this lesson. To help you find it easily you can click the following link and it will take you right the topic. You'll be able to see questions that other people had and ask your own questions! Hopefully one of the very helpful members of our community will be there to help you soon, I do go there and answer stuff too - but there are just too many questions for me to answer alone! |








