BASS ARPEGGIOS

Bass arpeggios are most commonly how a bass player would view bass chords. Do not confuse this with meaning bass chords aren't used, however versus the guitar or piano for example, it is the arpeggio that the bass player will apply most versus chords.

Bass arpeggios are made up as chords, but played with individual notes. Their structure and fingering on the fretboard is different due to how they are played. Generally three notes make up a true arpeggio just like a chord which is the root, third and fifth tone of a scale. Of course there are many chord tone extensions that are added to the bass triad for your 7ths, 9ths, etc.

Bass arpeggios can be played with a pick, or plucked or slapped with fingers. They are played in many ways. Tapping arpeggios for example is one of the key methods used for bass tapping. As one of the key building blocks of bass and music, arpeggios are one of the three blocks that includes chords and scales.

Arpeggios are essential to a complete understanding and ability with the bass guitar and should not be neglected for playing bass scales or chords. In fact for the bass player, bass arpeggios are a key core of bass playing.