Arpeggio maps

Overview

Arpeggio maps show every note that belongs to a chord or scale across your fretboard, not just one shape. Use them for improvising, writing melodies, and understanding how positions connect along the neck.

On the web, arpeggio maps work without an account. Open them at /arpeggios.

When to use them

• Improvising: see which notes are safe over a chord
• Melody writing: find chord tones that anchor a line
• Connecting positions: move smoothly between areas of the neck
• Ear training: play through positions and internalize the sound of each degree

Chord or scale

The selector has a Chord / Scale toggle.

Chord source

Choose any chord type and the map shows its arpeggio: the root, third, fifth, and any sevenths or extensions. Every chord type from chord maps is available, including 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths. Altered dominants such as 7b9 and 7#5 show the plain dominant 7 arpeggio without the alteration.

Scale source

Choose a scale and the map shows its notes across the neck. The scales are grouped:

• Diatonic modes: Major (Ionian), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Minor (Aeolian), Locrian
• Minor variations: Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor
• Pentatonic and others: Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Blues, Chromatic, Whole Tone

A few characters to listen for:

• Dorian: a minor scale with a raised 6th, jazzy and soulful
• Phrygian: a dark minor scale with a flattened 2nd
• Lydian: a floating major scale with a raised 4th
• Mixolydian: a bluesy major scale with a flattened 7th
• Harmonic Minor: a dramatic minor scale with a raised 7th leading tone

Patterns

Arpeggios and scales are shown in patterns, each covering a window of frets. Pattern 1 sits in the open position, and the patterns continue up the neck to the 22nd position. Only patterns that contain a root note and fit within your instrument's fret count are offered, so an instrument with fewer frets shows fewer patterns. When only one pattern applies, the pattern picker is hidden.

Switch instrument and tuning from the instrument switcher in the top bar. The patterns adapt to what you play, and on piano the map is drawn on a keyboard.

Reading the map

• Root notes are marked distinctly, and the legend shows the root marker
• Chord or scale tones are highlighted at every position inside the pattern
• String and fret positions show exactly where each note falls

Letters vs Numbers

A Letters / Numbers toggle changes how notes are labelled:

• Letters shows note names such as C, E, and G
• Numbers shows the degree relative to the root, such as 1, 3, and 5. Altered degrees appear as b3, b7, #11, and so on.

Numbers help you learn the structure of a chord or scale independent of key.

Practice flow

1. Start with one pattern

Pick a single pattern and learn its shape. Play it ascending and descending until it is memorized.

2. Connect adjacent patterns

Once you know one pattern, find the next one up or down the neck and practice moving between them.

3. Play through chord progressions

Pick a progression such as ii-V-I and play the arpeggio for each chord. Focus on:

• Common tones between chords
• Smooth voice leading
• Staying in one area of the neck

4. Combine with chord maps

Switch between chord maps and arpeggio maps for the same chord to see how a chord shape relates to its arpeggio.

5. Apply to real songs

Take a song you know, identify its chords, and improvise using only chord tones.

Tips

• Start slow: clean technique matters more than speed
• Use a metronome: build time feel while you learn shapes
• Sing the notes: connect your ear to your fingers
• Focus on connections: the goal is to see the neck as one connected map

Sharing and bookmarking

As with chord maps, the URL encodes your selection, including whether you chose a chord or a scale. Bookmark an arpeggio for daily practice or share the link with a student.

Next steps

• Chord maps to explore specific voicings
• Songs to write charts using what you have learned
• Open arpeggio maps to start exploring