July
2000: Arpeggi vs. Rolled Chords - Unit 1
The term "arpeggio" (Ital.) is applied to a sequence of notes that make up a chord. Let's start with a simple C major chord. The members of the chord are:
Chord tones are identified by their relationship to the root or name note of the chord. Hence E is the 3rd because it is a 3rd above C, and G is the 5th because it is a 5th above C.
- To arpeggiate a C major chord, we might play C then E then G etc. but it is not necessary that C be on the bottom. Any one of the chord tones can be on the bottom and it would still be considered a C major arpeggio.
- An arpeggio may contain as many multiplications of chord tones as desired. For example:
- It may contain other notes which serve as passing tones between chord tones which would still be considered a C major arpeggio. For example:
- It may contain added notes which embellish
the chord. For example:
- Sometimes an arpeggio may have a base note that differs from the chord that is built above it. For example:
- Arpeggi may be played upward, downward, or some combination thereof.
- The single most important thing to remember about arpeggi is that they are timed! The notes of an arpeggio move from beat to beat in a timed rhythmic sequence just as they do in a melody or accompaniment.
See you next month.
Stephanie
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