Advanced Arpeggio Theory Fret board Exercise For Guitarists

Advanced Arpeggio Theory Fret board Exercise

Pick any random note on the low E string
Then from that note, figure out:

Which four dominant 7th chords have that note.
Play the dominant 7 arpeggio fingering (from that note) for each one of those dominant 7 chords.
Which four maj7 chords have that note.
Play the maj7 arpeggio fingering (from that note) for each one of those four maj7 chords.
Which four m7 chords have that note.
Play the m7 arpeggio fingering (from that note) for each one of those four m7 chords.
Which four m7b5 chords have that note.
Play the m7b5 arpeggio fingering (from that note) for each one of those four m7b5 chords.

As an example: let’s say that you chose the note C on the 8th fret.
Here’s how to do this.

You can go over the chord types in no particular order, but let’s do m7 chords first.
The formula is 1 b3 5 b7

C is the root in… Cm7.
After you figured that out, play the Cm7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the minor 3rd in… Am7.
After you figured that out, play the Am7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 5th in… Fm7.
After you figured that out, play the Fm7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the b7th in… Dm7.
After you figured that out, play the Dm7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret

Let’s do 7th chords next
The formula is 1 3 5 b7

C is the root in… C7.
After you figured that out, play the C7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 3rd in… Ab7.
After you figured that out, play the Ab7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 5th in… F7.
After you figured that out, play the F7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the b7th in… D7.
After you figured that out, play the D7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret

For maj7 chords
The formula is 1 3 5 7

C is the root in… Cmaj7.
After you figured that out, play the Cmaj7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 3rd in… Abmaj7.
After you figured that out, play the Abmaj7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 5th in… Fmaj7.
After you figured that out, play the Fmaj7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the 7th in… Dbmaj7.
After you figured that out, play the Dbmaj7 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret

Lastly, the m7b5 chords
The formula is 1 b3 b5 b7

C is the root in… Cm7b5.
After you figured that out, play the Cm7b5 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the minor 3rd in… Am7b5.
After you figured that out, play the Am7b5 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the b5th in… F#m7b5.
After you figured that out, play the F#m7b5 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret
C is the b7th in… Dm7b5.
After you figured that out, play the Dm7b5 arpeggio fingering from the 8th fret

Helpful tips

You probably might want to start first with triad arpeggios before tackling the above 7th chords.
When you do triads, include sus2 and sus4 arpeggios in your practice.
It goes without saying that you want to do these exercises in all twelve keys. In other words: starting from all twelve frets. Recommended: practice this in the circle of 4ths or circle of 5ths.
In a later stage, when all this above becomes easier, move on to more challenging chords. Also practice the altered dominant arpeggios this way, as well as dim7 chords, -maj7 chords, 7sus4, maj7#5, maj7b5, 9th chords, add9, and so on.

This is a challenging exercise for sure, but you will absolutely love the progress you will see in your understanding of harmony, your memorization of chord tones, your fretboard knowledge, and your soloing.

If you need help with the arpeggio fingerings:

Conclusion

Hit me up anytime at vreny@zotzinmusic.com if you have any questions, or if you would like to book a lesson.

These free lessons are cool, but you will never experience the progress, joy, and results that my students experience in lessons when you’re learning by yourself from blogs and videos.

That is why people take lessons: way better results and progress, much more complete information, exposed to way more creative ideas than you can get from a blog or YouTube video.
There is only so much that self-study can accomplish.

If you want to see amazing results and progress in your guitar playing, buy your first lesson here and get started ASAP.