Improvisation tips

Exploring Arpeggios and Chord Variations

Down the line was an opportunity to explore your dominant '74 on those four chords: arpeggios and broken chords. Let's talk a little bit about how to create interest and variety with those four chords, in particular the arpeggios.

Starting on the Root

First thing, let's play a couple of ideas that start on the root.

• Going Up:
  I'll do this with some left hand chords. I'll just play something like this just to keep time. You can go up from the root.

• Going Down:
  Don't forget you can also go down from the root. Start with the fourth finger. Avoid the trap of always starting your phrases by going up from the starting note.

Demonstration:

1. Starting on the Root and Going Up
2. Starting on the Root and Going Down
3. Starting on the Third:
   • Now starting on the third and going down.
4. Starting on the Fifth:
   • For instance, now start on the fifth and go down.

This creates a great pattern similar to a broken chord.

Starting on the Seventh

Finally, let's start on the seventh. This one you may have to think about because it's not an obvious place to start, is it? But there's no reason why you shouldn't start on any note of the chord.

• Starting on the Seventh and Going Up:
  The second bar there was the same notes but off the beat.

• Starting on the Seventh and Going Down:
  See, that all falls under the fingers. It's a root position shape, but I'm starting with a little finger.

Tips for Creating Variety

One of the secrets to playing with more variety is to cover every note of the arpeggio of the inversion. This happens to be root position. Rather than just getting one or two notes ready, get into the habit of covering four notes from the chord. Then they're all at your disposal under your fingers. You don't even need to look.

Checking Fingering for Arpeggios

Lastly, let's check the fingering for the arpeggios of these chords, starting with C7. You should probably have done this already, so that'll be good for G7 as well.

• Fourth Finger on the Seventh:
  If you're going to play Bb or Ab, you need to use an alternative fingering:
  • Second finger on the root
  • Thumb on the root.

Try those with the chords as well, such as Ab.

Practice Tips

Make sure that whenever you practice this stuff, you play in time, preferably with something in the left hand which states the time, like even just a bass line.

Don't get into the habit of practicing things with no idea of pulse, rhythm or groove.