Your Online Guide to Playing Better Jazz Guitar
Dominant 7th Arpeggios
The Dominant 7th arpeggio contains four notes, all derived from the Mixolydian Mode. These notes are:
Root – Third – Fifth – Flat Seventh
So, for a C Dominant 7th chord, these notes would be:
C – E – G – Bb
Notice how the Dominant 7th Arpeggio is only one note different than the Major 7th Arpeggio, we’ve added a flat 7th compared to the major 7th with the Dominant chord. Knowing this will not only raise your theory chops, but it also makes it easier to learn these fingerings on the guitar. Just take any Major 7th Arpeggio, lower the 7th by one fret, and voila, instant Dominant 7th Arpeggio.
Each fingering is presented on a C Dominant 7th arpeggio, but make sure to practice these in all 12 keys so that you learn you neck, as well as take these fingerings into every possible spot on the neck.
Click on any example to see a larger, printable version of the page.
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Dominant 7th Arpeggios One Octave Fingerings
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Dominant 7th Arpeggios Two Octave Fingerings
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Dominant 7th Arpeggios Three Octave Fingerings
7 Responses to "Dominant 7th Arpeggios"
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Hi Matt
Just a quick question (or two) about the fingering in the third example. The first arpeggio there is spread over the bottom 4 strings, with the top note on the 3rd string. This creates a big stretch between the top and bottom note. I find this hard to play evenly. Is there any reason why the top note in that arp couldn’t be played on the 4th string? That would make the whole thing a little less of a stretch. Or would be better to try and learn both fingerings?
Thanks again!
Hey Charlie,
That fingering is like that because it relates directly to the closed position chord for the 7th chord on those strings, try playing all those notes as a chord and strumming/plucking it to see how it works as a full chord. You can play either or fingering, whatever is easier for you, this one is just there because it lines up with that particular chord voicing.
How would you finger the arpeggio starting on the 3rd string?
Hey Josh
I would play 1-1-4-2 sith a small barre between the third and second strings with the first finger.
Oh, I meant the third to last one – do I start with my 3rd or 4th finger, and then what?
For that one i would play 3-3-1-4 ith a barre on the third finger
Thanks!