EXPLORE CHORD TONES

The role of chord tones isn’t something to be taken lightly by any musician. Although it’s possible to deliberate over a vast array of components in the melodic portrayal of chord progressions, it’s always the notes within the associated triads and arpeggios that prove definitive in outlining the harmony—and as being definitive in outlining harmony is the usual role of any bassist, I’m sure you can appreciate the importance of developing an understanding in this field.

EXERCISE ONE

Let’s examine chord tones with an initial look at major 7th arpeggios. First, we need to appreciate that arpeggios—like all