To this point in the series, we have primarily used major and minor scales to solo over chords diatonic to those scales.
For example, we have used a C major scale to solo over the chords diatonic to the key of C major, the chords that result when you harmonize a C major scale (C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°).
And while you can use any of the notes in a scale to solo over the chords diatonic to that scale, some notes in the scale are more important than others, and these important notes are the notes contained in the chord you are soloing over.
It’s these chord tones — or arpeggio notes — that you need to emphasize when soloing.
This post will provide fingerings for triad arpeggios — major, minor and diminished — along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note. It will also illustrate how each type of arpeggio relates to a specific scale.
Major Arpeggios
The chord formula for a major triad is 1, 3, 5.
A major arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a major chord — the first, third and fifth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
For example, both a C major chord and a C major arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, E and G — the first, third and fifth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a major arpeggio is shown in fig.1.
Fig.1
This fingering will allow you to play a major arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C major arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.2a).
- To play a D major arpeggio, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.2b).
Fig.2
Minor Arpeggios
The chord formula for a minor triad is 1, b3, 5.
A minor arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a minor chord — the first, flatted third and fifth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Both a Cm chord and a C minor arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, Eb and G — the first, flatted third and fifth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a minor arpeggio is shown in fig.3.
Fig.3
This fingering will allow you to play a minor arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C minor arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.4a).
- To play a D minor arpeggio, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.4b).
Fig.4
Diminished Arpeggios
The chord formula for a diminished triad chord is 1, b3, b5.
A diminished arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a diminished chord — the first, flatted third and flatted fifth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Both a C° chord and a C diminished arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, Eb and Gb — the first, flatted third and flatted fifth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a diminished arpeggio is shown in fig.5.
Fig.5
This fingering will allow you to play a diminished arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C diminished arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.6a).
- To play a D diminished arpeggio, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.6b).
Fig.6
Relationship to Scales
Each type of arpeggio relates to a specific scale:
- A major arpeggio relates to a major scale.
- A minor arpeggio relates to a minor scale.
- A diminished arpeggio relates to a Locrian scale.
Major Arpeggios
A major arpeggio contains three of the seven notes in the major scale with the same root note.
For example, a C major arpeggio contains three of the notes (C, E and G) in a C major scale (fig.7).
Fig.7
A major scale fingering with the major arpeggio notes highlighted in blue is shown in fig.8.
Fig.8
This fingering will show you the major arpeggio notes in any major scale:
- To see the major arpeggio notes in a C major scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.9a).
- To see the major arpeggio notes in a D major scale, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.9b).
Fig.9
Minor Arpeggios
A minor arpeggio contains three of the seven notes in the minor scale with the same root note.
For example, a C minor arpeggio contains three of the notes (C, Eb and G) in a C minor scale (fig.10).
Fig.10
An A minor scale fingering with the minor arpeggio notes highlighted in blue is shown in fig.11.
Fig.11
This fingering will show you the minor arpeggio notes in any minor scale:
- To see the minor arpeggio notes in a C minor scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.12a).
- To see the minor arpeggio notes in a D minor scale, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.12b).
Fig.12
Diminished Arpeggios
A diminished arpeggio contains three of the seven notes in a Locrian scale with the same root note.
For example, a C diminished arpeggio contains three of the notes (C, Eb and Gb) in a C Locrian scale (fig.13).
Fig.13
A Locrian scale fingering with the diminished arpeggio notes highlighted in blue is shown in fig.13.
Fig.13
This fingering will show you the diminished arpeggio notes in any Locrian scale:
- To see the diminished arpeggio notes in a C Locrian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.14a).
- To see the diminished arpeggio notes in a D Locrian scale, start the pattern on the D on the sixth string, 10th fret (fig.14b).
Fig.14
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