a lesson on 7th arpeggios, here I demonstrate how to master these structures all over the guitar. I mostly play the major 7th arpeggio, but you can use any arpeggio in any key.
Printable PDF: 7th arpeggios – shapes
Author: Gianni C.
2-5-1 minor
Like the 2-5-1 in major this is quite a reoccurring progression in many different styles. Its originates from the Harmonic Minor scale and the chords are IIm7(b5)-V7(b9)-Im(maj7). In the video I show you a scale (that really has no name) that fits these 3 chords, and if learned in all keys, will cover your basic soloing needs for this kind of progression. It is basically a natural minor scale with an added major 7th. To me it sounds a bit like a bebop scale so it naturally sounds its best when played in a descending fashion. This is the scale in Cminor:
C D Eb F G Ab Bb B (C)
You can download the printable PDF file: Minor 2-5-1/ Eight note scale.
Interval Color for Soloing
One of the ways to fight ‘patterns’ playing is to explore all the intervals you can find in a scale. It is a really easy concept you can apply to ANY scale. This is also a great exercise for your chops. Try to practice more with your ears than your fingers…enough said. If applied to soloing every interval has a specific ‘color’ or ‘sound’. Many styles are based around that color, just watch the video and you will understand.
Printable PDF: Scale in Intervals
Adding Chromatic Approach Notes
This video is pretty much self explanatory. Chromatic approach notes are just notes that live half a step above or below the note we want to target. We can put together more than one approach note and string them together to do a more complex approach. Usually the target note will be a chord tone sitting on a strong beat (remember the Harmonic Rhythm concept?). All you have to do is to add chromatic approach notes to your arpeggios, phrases, or single notes to embellish your melodies. Just listen to the examples I play in the video to get some ideas. Check out the following PDF file for the most common 12 chromatic approaches.
Printable PDF: Chromatic Approach Notes
2-5-1 Pt2:Examples
Just some examples on the 2-5-1 (to be ‘proper’ I should write II-V-I ) progression in C major, using only notes from the major scale. Remember the harmonic rhythm concept: strong notes on strong beats. I definitely advice recording yourself and criticize your playing in a positive way. There is no point in saying ‘that was horrible’. Istead say ‘ why does that not sound as it should?’. Am I playing too many wrong notes? Is my timing off? Are my melodies not strong enough? Try again and fix what you think is wrong.
Again you can find the 2-5-1 all keys Printable PDF >Here<