Arpeggio Playing
Chord symbols have been written above each example in this book.
A bass player can use these chord symbols to create an original bass line by playing the notes in each chord. This is called arpeggio playing. An arpeggio is when the notes of a chord are played one note at a time.
The most common chord types found in music are:
- Major Chords – the chord symbol for a major chord is just the letter name, e.g., the chord symbol for C major = C.
- Seventh Chords – the chord symbol for a seventh chord is the letter name of the chord followed by a number 7, e.g., the chord symbol for C seventh = C7.
- Minor Chords – the chord symbol for a minor chord is a small m placed after the letter name, e.g., the chord symbol for C minor = Cm.
The root note is the note after which a chord is named, e.g.:
- The root note of an A chord is A
- The root note of an E7 chord is E
- The root note of a Dm chord is D
The easiest way to play an arpeggio is to memorize its pattern on the fretboard.
Major Chord Arpeggio
On the following page is a common arpeggio pattern for any major chord. The numbers in the fretboard dots indicate which left hand finger should be used.
The major chord pattern shown above has the root note on the 5th fret of the 4th string. This is an A note and therefore the pattern is an A major chord (A). If this pattern was played with the root note on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string it would be a C major chord (C) etc.
This major chord arpeggio pattern can be used if the root note is on any fret of the second, third or fourth strings. The arpeggio played will always be a major chord, which is named after the root note.
The chord progression that follows uses the major chord arpeggio pattern you have just learned. Starting on the root note of the major chord the pattern is played twice in each bar. The notes of the chord arpeggio can be played with any timing or technique you know. The notes can also be played in any order, though it is quite common to commence on the root note.
Another major chord arpeggio pattern is shown here, and can be used with the root note commencing on any fret of the fourth or third strings. The major chord shown here is an A major chord.
Play the major chord progression in the previous exercise, using this new major chord arpeggio pattern.
Seventh Chord Arpeggio
Here is the most common seventh chord arpeggio pattern. This pattern can be used if the root note is on the fourth or third strings. It is shown here with its root note on the fifth fret of the fourth string, i.e., an A seventh (A7) chord.
Use the seventh chord arpeggio pattern 1 to play the four seventh chords in the following progression.
Here is another seventh chord arpeggio. This pattern can be used if the root note is on the 3rd or 2nd strings. It is shown here with its root note on the fifth fret of the 3rd string, i.e., a D seventh (D7) chord.
Minor Chord Arpeggio
Here are three minor chord arpeggio patterns. All three are shown with the root note on the fifth fret of the fourth string. All are A minor (Am) chords.
This minor chord arpeggio pattern can be used if the root note is on the fourth, third or second strings.
This minor chord arpeggio can be used if the root note is on the fourth or third string.
This minor chord arpeggio pattern can only be used if the root note is on the fourth string.
The following progression combines major, minor and seventh chord arpeggios.
You can experiment using different arpeggios than the ones given in the examples. Also practice them using eighth notes, etc.
Six Eight Time ( ) )
This is the six eight time signature. There are six eighth notes in one bar of ) time. The six eighth notes are divided into two groups of three.
When playing ) time, there are two beats in each bar with each beat being a dotted quarter note. This is different to * time and ^ time where each beat is a quarter note. Accent (play louder) the 1 and 4 count to help establish the two beats per bar. The following chord progression is in ) time.
