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Playing arpeggios and modes over each chord

In this lesson we will learn a few more arpeggios and also apply what you have been learning to a four-chord progression. This

progression is not on the Jam Track CDs but will be easy enough for you to lay down. Play the chords slowly with two

measures per chord. Analyze the chords, as that gives the roadmap to what you can utilize for soling and improvisation. We

have a I–VI–II–V progression in the key of D major. Utilize D major scales over the whole progression as D major relates to

all. In fact, D major scales work well over all the chords. Another avenue is to treat each chord as a separate event. Below are

some suggestions of a few scales, modes, and arpeggios that work over each chord. There are a myriad of options and I list a

few below to get you started. Listen for the chord changes and try to end your phrases on strong chord tones. Illustrated

below you can learn a maj7 arpeggio two ways, minor9th arpeggio, and dominant 7th arpeggio – add these to your arsenal.

Dmaj7 – Bm7 – Em7 – A7

1. Play what relates to all – D major scales, (Ionian mode), over all the chords, D Major Pentatonic will also work over all


2. Treat each chord as a separate event

• Over the Dmaj7 chord – try D Major Scales, D Lydian, and Dmajor7 arpeggios


• Over the Bm7 chord– play B Aeolian, B Dorian, B Minor Pentatonic & Blues, and Bm, Bm7, and Bm9 arpeggios


• Over the Em7 chord - play E Aeolian, E Dorian, E Minor Pentatonic & Blues, and Em, Em7, and Em9 arpeggios


• Over the A7 chord – play A Mixolydian, A Major Pentatonic, and A Major and A7 arpeggios

m7 arpeggio – play over the Bm7 and
Em7 chords

1

2

3

4

1 1

4

3

1

1

1

2 2

4 4

2

Maj7 arpeggio – play over the

Dmaj7 chord

3

1

2

4

1

7th arpeggio – play over the A7

chord

1

4

2

1

4

m9th arpeggio – play over the Bm7 or

Em7 chords

1

2

3

4

1

3

Maj7 arpeggio – play over the

Dmaj7 chord

1 1

1

3

2

4

1

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Dmaj7 – 5 th fret

X 1 3 2 4 1

Emin7 – 7 th fret

X 1 3 1 2 1

A7 – 5 th fret

1 3 1 2 1 1

Bmin7 – 7 th fret

1 3 1 1 1 1