Master Arpeggio Guitar Tabs with Ease: Unlock Your Fretboard
- Rodrigo Moreira
- Sep 1, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Click to jump) |
Hey everyone, Rodrigo here!
One of the most common questions I get from students is how to learn and practice arpeggios effectively. So today, I’m going to break it all down—showing you exactly what to focus on to master arpeggios while building your technique.
As always, everything I write includes TABS and standard music notation, so whether you read music or prefer TABS, you’ll have everything you need to follow along and apply what you learn.
If you’re new here, I highly recommend checking out my post on Guitar Arpeggios (click to read) before diving in, since this post builds on that foundation. In it, I go deep into how arpeggios are formed and demonstrate all types of arpeggio qualities—major, minor, augmented, diminished, sus2, sus4, Lydian, Phrygian, maj7, dom7, min7, min7(b5), dim7, dom7sus4, min(maj7), maj7(#5), maj7(b5), dom7(#5), and dom7(b5). You won’t find another resource online that explains it as clearly while mapping everything across the fretboard.
And if you’re looking to take your playing to the next level, I’ve put together a 16-part series covering everything an advanced guitarist needs to know—from intervals and arpeggios to scales, chord progressions, and much more. You can explore each topic by clicking on its specific post.
Simples Intervals -> Compound Intervals -> Triads -> Drop-2 Chords -> Drop-3 Chords -> Shell Chords & Extensions -> Triads & Extensions -> Chord Melody -> Guitar Arpeggios -> Guitar Scales -> Major Keys -> Minor Keys -> Harmonic Minor Keys -> Melodic Minor Keys -> Greek Modes -> Chord Progressions
To all my returning readers, thank you for your support! I’ll keep adding more material to the store section to help you grow as a musician.
Let’s get started!
Master Arpeggio Guitar Tabs with Ease
Arpeggio Positions
There are two main types of arpeggios: triadic arpeggios and seventh arpeggios. A triadic arpeggio consists of three different notes—the root (R), the third (3), and the fifth (5). A seventh arpeggio, on the other hand, includes four notes—the root (R), the third (3), the fifth (5), and the seventh (7).
For educational purposes, I will focus on triadic arpeggios in the following examples, as seventh arpeggios follow the same principles and applications. Below, you’ll find examples of a C major triadic arpeggio and a Cmaj7 seventh arpeggio, both presented with arpeggio guitar tabs and standard notation.:
C Major Arpeggio (TABS + Standard notation)
Cmaj7 Arpeggio (TABS + Standard notation)
Understanding different arpeggio formats is essential for mastering the fretboard. The following arpeggio guitar tabs will help you visualize these shapes clearly.
Arpeggio Formats (3-string, 2-string, 1-string arpeggio)
Arpeggios can be played in different formats, each requiring a specific starting finger. The more formats you master, the more freedom you'll have when improvising solos. Below are three common arpeggio formats, demonstrated using a C major arpeggio.
3-String C Major Arpeggio
(Starts with the pinky finger)
2-String C Major Arpeggio
This format comes in two variations:
*(2,1) Format – Two notes on the string above, one on the string below. (Starts with the middle finger)
*(1,2) Format – One note on the string above, two on the string below. (Starts with the index finger)
1-String C Major Arpeggio
(Played with the same finger throughout, regardless of which finger you choose.)
This arpeggio format allows you to move seamlessly across different areas of the fretboard. In this example, I used a C major arpeggio on the B string, but you can apply this approach to any string. The fourth note at the end is simply a C note played one octave higher.
Expanding arpeggios to two octaves provides more flexibility when improvising. The following arpeggio guitar tabs illustrate how to play these shapes across the fretboard.
2-Octave Arpeggios
All the arpeggios discussed earlier can be expanded to two octaves, allowing them to span the full vertical range of the fretboard—from the low E string to the high e string.
2-Octave C Major Arpeggio
(Starts with the pinky finger)
2-Octave C Major Arpeggio
(Starts with the middle finger)
2-Octave C Major Arpeggio
(Starts with the index finger)
Arpeggios Inversions
Two additional arpeggio positions to practice are the inversions: one starting from the third (3) and the other from the fifth (5), both extending across two octaves.
2-Octave C Major Arpeggio From its 3rd
(Starts with the index finger)
2-Octave C Major Arpeggio From its 5th
(Starts with the middle finger)
3-Octave Arpeggios (Diagonal Arpeggios)
A one-string arpeggio covers the fretboard horizontally, while a two-string arpeggio spans it vertically. In contrast, a three-octave arpeggio extends diagonally, providing the final step in achieving seamless fretboard navigation using arpeggios. Each of these approaches is equally important.
There are two diagonal arpeggios to focus on: one starting from the root and another from the fifth.
3-Octave C Major Arpeggio from its Root
(Starts with the index finger)
3-Octave C Major Arpeggio from its 5th
(Starts with the middle finger)
How to Practice Arpeggios?
In the following sections, you'll find original materials I’ve developed based on nearly two decades of experience teaching musicians of all levels—from beginners to professionals. These exercises have proven to be highly effective, helping many of my students refine their skills, and I hope they will do the same for you on your musical journey. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at info@guitartheorylessons.com.
Appendix of 7th-Arpeggios (TABS + Standard Notation)
If you're looking to expand your knowledge of arpeggios and unlock the full potential of your fretboard, the Appendix of 7th-Arpeggios is an essential resource for you. This comprehensive digital download provides everything you need to master 7th arpeggios in all 12 keys, covering one, two, and three-octave patterns.
What’s Inside?
You’ll receive a 445-page PDF Sheet Music + TAB, ensuring you have the tools necessary to develop fluency in arpeggios across the entire fretboard. The Appendix of 7th-Arpeggios includes a detailed breakdown of all the essential 7th arpeggios, giving you a complete roadmap to improve your improvisation, composition, and overall technique.
The Arpeggios Covered:
This guide features all types of 7th arpeggios in every key, including:
Major 7th (Maj7)
Minor 7th (m7)
Dominant 7th (7)
Half-Diminished (m7♭5)
Diminished 7th (dim7)
Minor Major 7th (mMaj7)
Dominant 7th Suspended 4th (7sus4)
Major 7th (#5) & Major 7th (♭5)
Dominant 7th (#5) & Dominant 7th (♭5)
Major 6th (Maj6) & Minor 6th (m6)
Why You Need This Guide?
✅ Expand your fretboard knowledge
✅ Improve your improvisation skills
✅ Enhance your compositions with rich harmonic vocabulary
✅ Develop fluidity in playing across multiple octaves
How to Create Arpeggio Patterns (Scala Perpetua)
Scala Perpetua is your ultimate guide to mastering arpeggios and scales, designed for guitarists who want to unlock fluidity, precision, and musicality in their playing.
This comprehensive PDF includes:
✅ Step-by-step exercises for creating triadic and 7th arpeggio patterns
✅ Techniques for using arpeggios in chord progressions and song mapping
✅ Advanced superimposition concepts to enhance your improvisation skills
✅ Practical applications with clear diagrams and notation
Whether you’re a beginner aiming to build solid technical foundations or an advanced player refining your phrasing and speed, Scala Perpetua is the perfect tool to elevate your musicianship.
Music with no Shortcuts
Music With No Shortcut is the ultimate guide for guitarists who want a deep and structured approach to music theory, technique, and application. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this book takes you step by step through the fundamentals and beyond, helping you develop a complete understanding of the fretboard and musical concepts.
What’s Inside?
🎸 Intervals & Fretboard Mastery – Understand how notes and distances shape music.🎸 Chords & Voicings – Learn triads, drop-2 & drop-3 chords, shell chords, and extensions.
🎸 Scales & Arpeggios – Develop fluency with essential and advanced patterns.
🎸 Keys & Modes – Explore major, minor, harmonic/melodic minor, and Greek modes.
🎸 Chord Progressions & Composition – Create musical arrangements with confidence.🎸 Chord Melody & Soloing – Learn to craft beautiful, harmonized guitar lines.
This method is designed for guitarists who want real progress—no gimmicks, no shortcuts, just solid musical understanding and application. If you want to play with confidence, improvise effortlessly, and build a deep connection with your instrument, Music With No Shortcuts is the perfect resource.
For a detailed overview of my Music With No Shortcuts method, including a full description and information about my support, click here or use the menu icon.
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