Would you confirm that to create an arpeggio from any note in a major scale the distance is: 2 whole steps (or 3 frets between notes 1 and 3), and 1 whole step + a half steps ( or 2 frets between notes 3 and 5)?
Brad BordessaJun 5, 2022
Yes. The formula you’ve outlined is correct for creating a MAJOR arpeggio. But it will be different for other chord types.
Margie LandisJun 15, 2022
You did about as well as anyone to describe the theory behind major chords, without looking at a piano keyboard. Nice job of breaking it down and making it understandable. The visual of a keyboard makes it so much easier.
Brad BordessaJun 15, 2022
Mahalo Margie!
Kevin SandgrenSep 11, 2022
Does the arpeggio need to start on a root note?
Example picking open GCE would be the C arpeggio?
Brad BordessaOct 12, 2022
The arpeggio does not have to start on the root note. However, arpeggios are usually organized exactly like the notes that make up chords. For instance, if you take the lowest note (C) in a CEG root inversion (chord or arpeggio) and move it up an octave, you get EGC, which is now the 1st inversion.
Brad, I have hesitated starting the “Intermediate” lessons until I felt that I had comfortably understood, reviewed, and had gained proficiency on each of the “Beginner” lessons. I am glad that I have continued on as I have already been practicing many of the exercises outlined in the “Intermediate” lessons. You have built in helpful review, but continue to push the skill level which is so helpful.
Brad BordessaOct 12, 2022
Glad it’s all fitting together, Bob!
Wayne GordonOct 22, 2022
So, the first thing that this pattern triggered was:
O bla di, o bla da, life goes on, ah (0 4 7, 0 4 7, 0 4 7, 12)
La la la la, life goes on (7, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2, 0)
and in 4 different keys!
Fun stuff!
Brad BordessaOct 22, 2022
That’s a perfect example! I’ll have to remember that.
bob seeleyApr 17, 2023
Wayne,
Fantastic! It’s great to find such a familiar example of this exercise in something that we all know so well. My brain and heart are both smiling right now.
Thanks for sharing this discovery.
Comments on this entry are closed.
Discuss this lesson and ask questions at Forum @ community.liveukulele.com
Would you confirm that to create an arpeggio from any note in a major scale the distance is: 2 whole steps (or 3 frets between notes 1 and 3), and 1 whole step + a half steps ( or 2 frets between notes 3 and 5)?
Yes. The formula you’ve outlined is correct for creating a MAJOR arpeggio. But it will be different for other chord types.
You did about as well as anyone to describe the theory behind major chords, without looking at a piano keyboard. Nice job of breaking it down and making it understandable. The visual of a keyboard makes it so much easier.
Mahalo Margie!
Does the arpeggio need to start on a root note?
Example picking open GCE would be the C arpeggio?
The arpeggio does not have to start on the root note. However, arpeggios are usually organized exactly like the notes that make up chords. For instance, if you take the lowest note (C) in a CEG root inversion (chord or arpeggio) and move it up an octave, you get EGC, which is now the 1st inversion.
Here is some more info for piano players, but you should understand the visuals even if you don’t play piano: https://soundtrackwriting.com/what-are-chord-inversions/
I explain inversions for ukulele more in my Ukulele Chord Shapes book.
Brad, I have hesitated starting the “Intermediate” lessons until I felt that I had comfortably understood, reviewed, and had gained proficiency on each of the “Beginner” lessons. I am glad that I have continued on as I have already been practicing many of the exercises outlined in the “Intermediate” lessons. You have built in helpful review, but continue to push the skill level which is so helpful.
Glad it’s all fitting together, Bob!
So, the first thing that this pattern triggered was:
O bla di, o bla da, life goes on, ah (0 4 7, 0 4 7, 0 4 7, 12)
La la la la, life goes on (7, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2, 0)
and in 4 different keys!
Fun stuff!
That’s a perfect example! I’ll have to remember that.
Wayne,
Fantastic! It’s great to find such a familiar example of this exercise in something that we all know so well. My brain and heart are both smiling right now.
Thanks for sharing this discovery.
That’s a good one, I’ll try it right away…hihi