Music Lesson: Arpeggios Overview

The majority of the arpeggios that we have here are fairly standard.

Standard Arpeggios

• B major
• D flat major
• G sharp minor
• B flat minor

All these are fairly standard. You're playing over three octaves, so you're going to want to make sure that your fingering is nice and tight and the same each time.

Octave Considerations

• Three Octaves:
  • There's quite a wide range of the piano starting some of them two octaves apart.
  • In these grades, we're starting them all one octave apart.

Key Focus: C Minor 7 Flat 5

The one to bear in mind in particular is number 5, which is a C minor 7 flat 5. This is also known as a half diminished C.

• Locrian Scale:
  • The Locrian is a D flat major scale starting on C, giving the impression of:
    • A minor (second)
    • Minor (third)
    • Minor (fifth)
    • Minor (sixth)
    • Minor (seventh)
    • Root

The arpeggio obviously uses the root, the third, the fifth, and the seventh.

Fingering Tips

• When you're dealing with the fingering of the seventh:
  • Ensure your fourth finger goes on the third in the left hand.
  • Place your fourth finger on the seventh in the right hand, as shown.
  • The thumb will then come over.

Note: Without doing this, you'll run out of fingers, making it quite difficult to correct.

C Diminished Seventh Arpeggio

We also have one more arpeggio, which is the C diminished seventh.

• The half diminished is so called because it includes the dominant seventh as well.
• The diminished has the sixth, making it a whole diminished.

Understanding B Double Flat

• Written here is B double flat.
  • Now that may look pretty intimidating, but remember:
    • Whenever you see a double flat or a double sharp, it means it's a whole tone down.
    • You could just write it a whole tone down; this is called enharmonically correct.
  • Although it may seem odd, you call it a double flat when you're playing the seventh as a double flat.

Reminder: Even though it looks weird, it's just an A, so it sounds like a regular diminished sound.

Fingering for Diminished

• When you're doing the fingering, make sure to come over.
• The leap here between the A and the C may not be that big, but because you're using your fourth finger (like these seventh arpeggios), watch out so you don't run out of fingers.

Playing Technique

• Wide Arpeggios:
  • When playing these wide arpeggios, you may need to lean over different sides of the piano.
  • As we progress to higher grades, this becomes even more prevalent.

Comfort and Posture

• When using three octaves or more, don't be afraid to lean in.
• If you feel uncomfortable while playing:
  • Take a seat back.
  • Give yourself plenty of room.
  • Ensure you have plenty of room at the piano.

Advice: Don't feel like you need to bunch yourself up too much, especially as you progress to higher grades.

• Things can start to really fly by, so:
  • Sit up nice and straight.
  • Maintain good posture in your back.
  • Use a piano stool; if you don't have one, consider getting one, as they will really help when playing these things.