[ Arpeggio Shapes ]
This page provides most of the main sweep and tap arpeggio shapes you'll ever need, including suggestions on which to use/not use.
To understand how and where to apply these, check out the Chord/Mode Reference page.
Select a chord from the table to view corresponding shapes below, or show all chords in list view.
Root notes are highlighted blue in all shape diagrams.
Major
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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Shape 1 (2nd inversion) is preferred over Shape 2 (root position) as it leverages common muscle memory with other 7 note sweeps and avoids using a barre, which can be difficult for clean note separation.
Shape 3 (1st inversion) is included for completeness but is gross and contains 2 barres, so should be avoided where possible.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
This is an inefficient shape to tap and not recommended - In any situation you'd need this, choosing a corresponding 7th chord will be easier to play and will probably sound more interesting.
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Minor
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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Shape 1 (2nd inversion) is preferred over Shape 2 (root position) as it leverages common muscle memory with other 7 note sweeps and avoids using a barre, which can be difficult for clean note separation.
Shape 3 (1st inversion) is included for completeness but is gross and contains 2 barres, so should be avoided where possible.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
This is an inefficient shape to tap and not recommended - In any situation you'd need this, choosing a corresponding 7th chord will be easier to play and will probably sound more interesting.
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Diminished
| Sweep - 6 Note |
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
This is an inefficient shape to tap and not recommended - In any situation you'd need this, choosing a corresponding 7th chord will be easier to play and will probably sound more interesting.
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Augmented
The Augmented chord is constructed from 3 stacked major 3rds and is the same shape in all inversions, therefore root can be placed on any note.
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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Although the temptation is to barre the 2nd/3rd strings,
fretting these individually will give cleaner note separation, and leverages common muscle memory with other 7 note sweeps (refer to fingering pattern for Minor 7 shape).
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
This is an inefficient shape to tap and not recommended - In any situation you'd need this, choosing a corresponding 7th chord will be easier to play and will probably sound more interesting.
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Major 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Minor 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Dominant 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Half-Diminished 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Diminished 7
The Diminished 7 chord is constructed from 4 stacked minor 3rds and is the same shape in all inversions, therefore root can be placed on any note.
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Augmented Major 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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Augmented 7
| Sweep - 7 Note |
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| Sweep - 9 Note |
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Same shape as 7-note sweep, but adds 2 additional root notes with a 3rd string hammer-on and a 1st string tap.
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| Tap - 9 Note |
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Can also be played on the 2nd/4th/6th strings using the same shape (in a non-dropped tuning).
Achieves the same notes as the 9 note sweep, but much easier to play and looks sick.
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This page is a work in progress and any input is greatly appreciated - for corrections or suggested improvements, please reach out to contact@zebneedy.com or via the contact page.