In this lesson you’ll continue your arpeggio study to include Scale Pattern #2. You also will discover ways that the shapes you learned in the first scale pattern will help you learn every other pattern more easily.
Begin learning all of the arpeggios in scale pattern #2 by going through the same process in that you did in scale pattern #1. First, review the arpeggios for the I, IV, and V chords. Then, as you play each arpeggio, say first the number of the chord and then the note name that is the root of the chord. Start in the key of D (2nd position) and then play the same I, IV, V chord arpeggios in the key of G (7th position). When you have practiced these arpeggios extensively, go through the same process for the ii, iii and vi chords.
Now for the good news: You already know some of the arpeggios in scale pattern #2! If you haven’t yet discovered this, play the following arpeggios and think through the logic:
The IV chord arpeggio in scale pattern #2 is the same shape as the I chord arpeggio in scale pattern
#1 (Both are Major 7 chords with the root on the 6th string.)
The ii chord arpeggio in scale pattern #2 is the same shape as the vi chord arpeggio in scale
pattern #1. (Both are minor 7 chords with the root on the 4th string.)
The vi chord arpeggio on scale pattern #2 is the same shape as the iii chord arpeggio in scale pattern #1. (Both are minor 7 chords with the root on the 5th string.)
Remember, you don’t have to master all of the arpeggios before you start using them in your playing. Learn the I chord and the V chord in each pattern first – and learn them really well. While you are integrating those arpeggios into your playing, you can continue practicing the other arpeggios in both patterns. Unless you want to play jazz, it’s fine to only practice the triads (1, 3, 5), but do learn the seventh (1, 3, 5, 7) for the V chord—it’s extremely useful in any style of music.