js1200js1000, haha, you want me to teach you somethin? Ok, well, arpeggios......

An arpeggio is, simply, a selection of notes from a scale/chord played in sequence. You can play any chord and play each of it's component notes individually rather than all together and it's an arpeggio.

However, because of the way guitar and the tuning of it's strings is laid out, the intervals from string to string tend to be quite wide. Playing notes in sequence using intervals that are closer together makes an arpeggio sound less like a split up chord. For this to make proper sense I need to explain intervals, so that's what's next....

Intervals......

When you're talking about intervals you're talking about the number of scalic semi-tones or tones between notes. Take a simple 1-octave major scale. You've got a root, a 2nd, a major 3rd, a 4th, a 5th, a major 6th, a major 7th and an octave root note.

If you play a minor scale in the same key the rooth, 2nd, 4th, 5th and octave stay the same, while the 3rd, 6th and 7th are made a semi-tone lower and thus turned minor.

As an example of scalic intervals: A 1-octave major scale starting on the low E-string in the key of A. You'd play frets 5 and 7 on the E-string, the 4, 5 and 7 on the A string, then 4, 6 and 7 on the D string.

E5 and 7 are your root and 2nd interval, A4 5 and 7 are your major 3rd, 4th and 5th and so on. yet if you play a simple major barre chord in the same position the major 3rd doesn't appear until the second octave.....you get a root on the E string, a 5th on the A string, an octave-root on the D string and finally your major note turns up on the G string, and it's comfortably in the second octave.

Although that's a complex explanation (it's damn hard to explain this without diagrams!) it's a good example of how you can make an arpeggio sound different to a chord even if you're using the same notes. By taking notes such as the major 3rd from the second octave and putting it into the 1st octave you get a tighter, more focused arpeggio that naturally resolves on an octave note.

A simple arpeggio uses root, 3rd, 5th and octave notes, so between a 1-octave major arp and 1-octave minor arp, there is only a semi-tone difference! It's great though to take a bunch of box patterns of modal or ethnic scales and try arpeggiating them.

At this point I invite you to check out one of my recent uploads - "The Jester" - on my soundclick page. The arpeggios in the intro/outtro were made purely of Dorian scale notes. I took a Dorian scale and made some chords and arps out of it, to demonstrate to a student how you can get a feel for the flavour of the different modes, and kinda liked what I came up with! haha. And then the melody that follows also uses mostly Dorian notes.

I only use this as an example 'cause it's a pretty concise demonstration of shamelessly taking intervals from a scale and arpeggiating them! If you want more details on this, just shout! Hope that was sort of what you were after. I know it was lengthy, and some of it you'll probably already know, but it needed a thorough description! hehe

webmaster

I had a cool idea 4 the update of the site , we hav a list of all the members that are online at the bottom of the page? wot do u think , WOT DOES ANY1 THINK????????????

Keniko

I had anuther look at ur site , its very pleasant on the eyes and well put 2gether ur music is brill aswell . Tell me how much does a site like that cost 2 put up ? Hav u thought of introducing ur band to t2j ?

emmm cof cof (clearing throat) ......................... DISCONTINUED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IT CANT BE , NO I'LL NEVER SEE THE , THE , THE G3 TOKYO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Hi Joe,

How do you decide where in the world to play? Pick names out of a guitar, just where you fancy going? the most requested? (UKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUKUK - Just in case)

962 - Extra special hug to you my friend - not for the following reason, you just made me realize I will never get the theory/terminology ummm oh what the heck do you call it, just look at your last post, how are you supposed to understand all that eh!! (oops gone Canadian again) Ah, but what I do understand is the Jester, Silver Rain, Time Boogie etc are just SOOPERB SONGS!!...when you gonna create your own website? hey? course you'll have to have a Tell it to Simon chat site like this..hmmm although people will be calling it TITS for short hmmmm maybe not. Oh well stick to email then (you got mail). Boy,I love your tunes oh.oh...don't tell Joe.

Peeceandgeetars - I can't tell you how happy I am to see your posts looking so upbeat again, just close your eyes and think of me in slow motion jumping up, punching the air with a smile on my face and saying "Yes!!!!!" Radio-Video is an all time classic you have to admit, my sons got hypnotize and mesmorize but I have to admit I haven't listened to them yet...Radiovideo is on a compilation tape we did for the car with other classics such as ram jam - Black Betty, Green day - Holiday...Lynyard Skynard - Freebird etc etc Oh yes, definately smilin now... oh like the name change...not sure how it's made a difference to you but great...

civgeek - cool!

mthead101 - Thank you for calling me a lady, quite a compliment...I laughed at your cheesy joke and boy was it cheesy next week..where you going? AMEN

js1200js1000 - Did you get your pay rise, hehe that's a bit of a cheeky thing to ask for considering you've bin going for another job...still hope you get it, the pay rise or the other job!

evbro - just replying...hi 2 u 2

Hadibb - love the english you do

hoiguy79 - wow, i nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw your photo, you have an exact look alike in my town...ps-04 strange title, care to explain...good tune though

Keniko - hey, where have you been lately? glad to see you back and that you've got a band together with the right chemistry...haha just watched School of Rock again the other day...that's such a great film, great tunes throughout too!!

DelfinoPie - wow 1st ...well done m8...it's funny how the things we struggle on turn out the best eh?

Rob310 - mornin...er...actually, that's a lie...evening

DCslater - hey, just signed on your mailing list, can't wait!!

Ldacez - I hope all goes well and that your girlfriend appreciates what a great boyfriend she has!

Lucysorets/Bahduh - Thanks for the post, sorry to hear your obviously not doing so good..hmm must have missed that post...what happened?

Well I think that's everyone, to anyone I missed sorry and Hi

Satriella ,

peaceandgeetars - what No bravery in her eyes...am I missing something????? It's a Joe song isn't it...go on...make me look an idiot...not hard I know...but really what are on.......hmmmmmm Are you twiterpated?

Peaceandgeetars - where are you from again? somewhere in the region of cloud 9?

Satriella,

Satriella ,

peeceandgeetars - kiss kiss, I can just feel your happiness and it's making me happy, so thank you...I'm still in a bad situation at the mo...james Blunt..hmm yep heard a bit of his stuff..I'm a bit put off at the moment cos Your beautiful just went on and on...ruins a good tune when that happens...i like that Canadian bloke..can't remember his name (not you js1200js1000) It could be daniel something or could be something completely different but it's a real smooth summer sound to his music...oh soooooo tired..I'm never gonna be up at 6 for swimming tomorrow...and we av a high profile visit from BA tomorrow...must go to bed....seeeez ya

Joe, man, can't wait for the new disc!!

Keniko - Thanks a lot, man. I gave you guys a listen and I love the sound!! Awesome website, too! I left you guys a blurb on your guestbook. Excellent stuff, man. Excellent!

js1200js1000 - No problem, dude... I will keep you posted. Should be another month or so before it's released.

satriella - You ROCK!! Thanks so much for signing up!

Hey, any of you guys and gals interested in exchanging links? I'm reading a lot of comments about some of you guys and your tunes, but I haven't heard anything yet. Post some links... I'd love to hear what you guys are up to!

Zenfish....thank you very much...that's very kind of you...8)

82DeanZ...not sure...maybe Joe can tell us?

Rob310...come back to it later if you're having trouble with it now...I'm chuggin' along...lol

js1200js1000...you're the perpetual flame under me arse...which is a good thing...thanks...lol