Basic Jazz Arpeggios - Beginner Jazz Guitar Lesson | Toolbox 3.1

Unlocking the Magic of Arpeggios: A Jazz Guitar Toolbox Guide

Hey there, fellow guitar enthusiasts! I'm Marc from Jazz Guitar Lessons, and I'm thrilled that out of the billions of YouTube videos out there, you've chosen to spend your time with me. Today, we're diving into the world of arpeggios, a crucial element in the jazz guitarist's toolbox. This lesson is part of our Jazz Guitar Toolbox series, where we focus on essential skills for jazz guitarists. So, let's get started!

What is an Arpeggio?

In simple terms, an arpeggio is when you play the notes of a chord one at a time, rather than strumming them all at once. For example, if you take a C major seven chord, you play the notes C, E, G, and B in sequence. This technique helps you create clear and defined improvisational lines that reflect the harmony of the chords passing by.

Why Arpeggios?

Arpeggios are incredibly useful for jazz guitarists because they anchor your improvisation to the chord changes. When you listen to timeless jazz players, you will notice that their lines accurately reflect the harmony. This is because their lines are centered around arpeggios.

The Six Essential Arpeggios

In this lesson, we'll cover arpeggios for six different chord qualities. If you missed our previous lessons on these chord types, don't worry! We will provide links for you to catch up. We will learn shapes with roots on both the sixth string (your bottom string) and the fifth string. All examples will start on C (C major, C minor, C diminished, etc.), but remember, these shapes are movable!

Let's Play!

I will demonstrate each chord and its arpeggio so you can hear and see what I'm doing. Feel free to experiment with different fingerings as you get comfortable with these shapes.

1. C Major Seven (Cmaj7)

   • Formula: 1, 3, 5, 7

2. C Dominant Seven (C7)

   • Formula: 1, 3, 5, b7

3. C Six (C6)

   • Formula: 1, 3, 5, 6

4. C Minor Seven (Cm7)

   • Formula: 1, b3, 5, b7

5. C Minor Seven Flat Five (Cm7b5)

   • Formula: 1, b3, b5, b7

6. C Diminished Seven (Cdim7)

   • Formula: 1, b3, b5, bb7

Steps to Master Arpeggios

I understand that learning arpeggios can be overwhelming at first. Here's a three-step process to help you get started:

1. Memorize One Arpeggio

   • Start with the Cmaj7 arpeggio. Play it in time, both ascending and descending. Ensure you're playing it steadily and accurately.

2. Move It Around

   • Practice playing the same shape in different keys. For example, if a sax player calls a tune in A flat, practice moving your C major seven shape to A flat.

3. Name the Chord Tones

   • As you play the arpeggio, say the chord tones out loud (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 7). This will deepen your understanding of the chord structure.

Applying Arpeggios to Real Tunes

Once you have mastered a few arpeggios, try applying them to real tunes. Open a fake book and play a song like "Days of Wine and Roses." Look for opportunities to use your arpeggios within the chord changes.

Final Thoughts

You can cover about 80% of jazz tunes with just your major, dominant, and minor arpeggios. The other chord qualities, like sixes and diminished, will come with more practice.

That's it for this Jazz Guitar Toolbox lesson! I hope you found it helpful. Please share this video with anyone you think might enjoy it, and don't forget to hit the subscribe button and the little bell to get notifications when we publish new content. Many thanks for watching, and I will see you soon on our website, where we offer jazz guitar lessons with a real teacher. Take care and happy playing!

Feel free to share your thoughts and progress in the comments below. Let's keep the jazz guitar community thriving!