22. Arpeggios
At various points in these courses you’ll have heard the term ‘arpeggio’, which as you might already know, is the name given to the notes in a chord played one at a time rather than all together. Arpeggios are incredibly important to us as bass players and are the foundation of all good basslines. In this video course we’re going to look at each of the main arpeggio/chord types that occur naturally within the major scale.
Don't forget to hit the Download Resources button above to receive the PDF worksheet and backing tracks that accompany these lessons! This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:
1. What is an Arpeggio?
In this video we’ll be looking at the basics of an arpeggio, and why it is such a valuable tool for bass players.
2. Harmonising the Major Scale
In this video we are going to look at all of the arpeggios which derive from the major scale. We’ll also look at a way of playing all of these arpeggios on the bass.
3. Alternative Positions for Arpeggios
In this lesson we’ll look at some alternative ways of playing the three arpeggio types that can be derived from the major scale. We’ll then use these to play through the arpeggios in the key of C.
4. Exercise 129
This exercise is a blues bassline, albeit with some more complex chord changes. Arpeggios are important elements in the bassline here.
5. Exercise 130
This is an up-tempo ska bassline that frequently moves between two adjacent minor chords: A minor and Ab minor. The bassline is built on the arpeggios of these chords.
6. Exercise 131
Arpeggios are used in this funk bassline that is similar in concept to the groove on the classic Stevie Wonder song ‘I Wish’.
7. Exercise 132
Here’s another funk bassline that makes use of arpeggio figures in the first and third bars.
8. Exercise 133
This is a reggae bassline that is similar to the Desmond Dekker song ‘The Isralites’.
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