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A-shape Major Arpeggio

The underlying chord tone heartbeat of an A-shape major scale.

The major triad arpeggio outlines the chord tones of a major triad chord. When we practice major scales, we know we are playing chord tones on downbeats when we can hear this arpeggio thumping out like a heartbeat underneath the scale.

Major triad arpeggio on one string,
over the major scale

Arpeggio vs chord shape

A-shape major arpeggio
A-shape major chord

This is the major triad arpeggio around the A-shape major chord.

Notice that there's a fifth (5) on the sixth string and a major third (3) on the fourth string that are not included in this chord shape.

Practicing the arpeggio

Major arpeggio over A-shape major chord

Practice playing the A-shape major triad arpeggio along with the A-shape major chord. Pay attention to the extra 5 and 3 behind the chord grip.

Major Triad Arpeggio

Understand the major triad arpeggio on a single string.

A-shape Major Chord

The movable major chord with a root on the fifth string.