We’ve spent a great deal of time talking about scales and modes. Let’s review the basic concept of the arpeggio. The word arpeggio is Italian for ‘broken chord’. Let’s start by taking a look at a C Major scale below…
And now a basic C Major arpeggio and triad chord. Triad meaning three notes…
As you can see, the basic C major arpeggio and C Major Triad uses the notes C, E, G. Played individually the notes are an arpeggio (broken chord) and played together they are a chord.
They are composed of the root or tonic of C.
The third degree of the scale E.
The fifth degree of the scale G.
Let’s review what that would look like on the piano keyboard…
You can find these patterns up and down the piano. And you you can build them on any root note.
For example F Major arpeggio and triad would be F, A, C.
Until next time practice building and playing your basic arpeggios and triads!