The Guitar Player's Resource
Welcome back! Last lesson we talked about add 9 arpeggios. In this lesson we're going to add the 7th as well as the 9th. Now our formula is (1,3,5,7,9) for the Maj 9th. This will give us a colorful sound.
Example 1. This example shows a Gmaj9 arpeggio. Notice we start with the 7th first and add the 9th in the lower octave as well - this is referred to as a 2nd. The notes in a Gmaj9th arpeggio are (G,B,D,F#,A)
Example 2. In this example we have a Gmin9 arpeggio. The formula is (1,b3,5,b7,9). The notes are (G,Bb,D,F,A) in a Gmin9 arpeggio. We also add the 9th in the lower octave. Compare a regular 1,3,5 arpeggio to these - you will notice a much more colorful sound.
Example 3. Now here's another way to add a 9th sound to your playing. If you're playing over a Maj 7th chord, go up a major 3rd and play a Min 7th arpeggio. For example G#min7 arpeggio over E Maj 7th. This will give you a 9th sound. The notes in the G#min7 are (G#,B,D#,F#) the F# is the 9th of E.
MP3 - Example 3
Example 4. Here we have a G Maj7th arpeggio over a Emin7th chord. This will give you the 9th over min7th chords. So our formula here is: over a Min 7th chord go up a Min 3rd and play a Maj7th arpeggio. The notes in a G maj7th arpeggio are (G,B,D,F#).
MP3 - Example 4
Example 5. Over a Min 7th chord you can play a Maj7th arpeggio down a whole step. In this example we have a D Maj7th arp over a Emin7th chord. This will give you the 9th,11th and the 13th. Now we're adding more color. The notes in the Dmaj7th arpeggio are (D,F#,A,C#). The A is the 11th of E and the C# is the 13th of E.
MP3 - Example 5
Example 6. Now let's construct a line using this technique. This lick is played over a E maj7th Chord. I use a little string skipping in this one. Notice the G#m7th arpeggio in the first bar.
MP3 - Example 6 - Slow
MP3 - Example 6 - Fast
Example 7. Here's another line. This one is played over a Em7th chord. The lick starts with a Em7th arpeggio, then goes into a Dmaj7th arpeggio then into a G maj7th. You could play this using hammer ons, or pick every note. I use a lot of these techniques on my CD "Full Circle".
MP3 - Example 7 - Slow
MP3 - Example 7 - Fast
OK, this wraps up our lesson for today. So don't forget to experiment. Record the chords on tape and play the arpeggios over them. Don't forget to check out my CD "Full Circle". See ya!
Mike Campese is an all-around music performer, session artist and teacher competent in many musical styles, electric and acoustic. He has studied at G.I.T. (Honors Graduate), and with Paul Gilbert, Norman Brown, Stanley Jordan, Scott Henderson and Keith Wyatt.
