Major Arpeggios in Five Positions

Getting beyond chord shapes.

Published: 19 Dec 2014 Updated: 27 May 2023Visits: 124Code: UL03-C-MAJOR-ARP

INSTRUMENTS: Chords Main: Ukulele Others: Ukulele
Subjects: Chords • Arpeggios • Positions

All 4 sample page(s) are viewable on-line.

If you are a registered site member, have verified your email address, and have the correct permissions you can view ALL the pages of this PDF or Samples pages at a larger size using the LearningUkulele.com Online PDF Viewer .

This Download is NOT part of your LearningUkulele.com membership level.

Sign-up for Premium Site Access or Upgrade Your Plan your current access level to download this PDF or your can purchase a copy for download.

After purchasing a PDF , a download link will be sent to you within 24hrs. Working on getting it to be automated.

Each PDF file is a formatted, high resolution file that prints out great. You'll need a PDF Reader or application capable of viewing PDF files to view the PDF.

Download the PDF file for the latest, complete, and most up-to-date version. As well as additional information not presented on-line.

Members and Active Students need to sign-in to download this lesson's PDF for the complete lesson.

Major Arpeggios in Five Positions


Five major arpeggio positions on the ukulele.

Additional Content
Available for Premium Site Access Plans Only

Sorry, can't give it ALL away!

This content requires a Premium / Gold Access Plan or enrolled in the Study with Curt - On-line or Private Lesson Program.

To view additional content for this page you'll need to either Sign In or Register for or Upgrade to a Premium Site Access Plan.

Login or SignUp to View Content

Getting Beyond the Shapes

The goal is to get to the notes (names and intervals). And, how they sound, related to the context that you're using them in.

When it comes to chords, it's important to understand the notes they consist of and their intervals. Each chord is made up of a combination of specific notes, and the intervals between these notes determine the chord's quality and character. By learning the names and intervals of the notes in a chord, you can understand its structure and how it functions within a particular musical context.

For example, let's consider the C major chord. The basic shape of this chord on the ukulele is often played as the open C chord (0 0 0 3), which consists of the notes C , E , and G . These notes create a specific sound and harmonic function. However, there are numerous ways to voice this chord across the ukulele neck, using different fingerings and positions. Exploring these different voicings allows you to access different notes and intervals while still representing the C major chord, its sound and function.

Getting beyond the basic shapes is as simple as experimenting with inversions, extensions, and alterations. Inversions involve changing the order of the notes within a chord, while extensions add extra notes to the basic triad. Alterations modify the quality of certain chord tones, such as adding a sharp or flat to a particular note. This lesson coves the bas three notes and intervals of a major triad.

Understanding the relationship between chords and melodies is also crucial. Chords provide the harmonic framework, while melodies consist of individual notes that create a melodic line. By incorporating chord tones and extensions into your melodies, you can create more nuanced and interesting musical phrases.

Sign-IN — it's FREE — to view, un-blur this lesson.

Major Arpeggios in Five Positions…

Practice, Explore

In terms of practice, it's helpful to study music theory, specifically chord construction and harmonization. This knowledge will enable you to analyze and understand the notes and intervals in any given chord. Additionally, experimenting with different voicings, chord progressions, and melodic ideas will expand your musical vocabulary and allow you to express yourself more creatively.

Consider this just to be you do with learning another chord voicing of a chord that you already know. This is the same — these are just more chords. Which by chance can be used for more than simple strumming a chord to creating melodies — either pre-composed or improvised.

Remember that music is a language, and just as you can create various sentences and phrases with words, you can do the same with chords and melodies. Continuously exploring and experimenting with chords, their notes, intervals, and sounds will provide you with a deeper understanding of music and help you develop your unique musical voice.

Download the PDF file for the latest, complete, and most up-to-date version. As well as additional information not presented on-line.

End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for Major Arpeggios in Five Positions.

QS01

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Lesson Series

Updated: 02 Jan 2005

"QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings" are a highly organized, efficient system of scale and arpeggio fingerings. Each fingering pattern is shown with a fingerboard shape, TAB and standard music notation. Related chords are also explained for each scale. Master these fingerings and unlock your potential for solos and improvisation.

UL42-TRIa

Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 1 2 3

Updated: 20 Jan 2023

A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This lesson covers the major and minor triads on string 1 2 3.

UL42-TRIe

Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 1 2 3 4

Updated: 14 Feb 2013

A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This chart covers the major and minor triads on strings 1 2 3 4.

UL42-TRIc

Core `Ukulele Chords, Major and Minor Triads, Strings 2 3 4

Updated: 14 Feb 2013

A triad is a three note chord. In traditional chord theory there are four triad chord types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. This chart covers the major and minor triads on strings 2 3 4.

UL107triMaj-QS

Exploring Major Triads Plus One - Fingering Solutions 1 2 3 5

Updated: 27 Oct 2021

Exploring the triads plus one series is best done using the QuickStart series format and the fingering principles from my book The Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering. The QuickStart series format single fingering solution for starting on each finger on strings four, three, two and one. Using the fingering principles from my book The Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering allows you to explore scales, arpeggios, intervals and sequences from every finger-every strings, creating multiple pathways through any single note passage.

UL6SUF-Beyond-Shapes

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, Getting Beyond Shapes

Updated: 09 Dec 2021

Over the years, people have come up with various fingering systems, patterns, and even gadgets to make learning the ukulele easier. Most systems are shape and pattern based and geared to the beginning student and do not require any knowledge of the ukulele fingerboard beyond what a fret is and the location of strings.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for Major Arpeggios in Five Positions.

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series are a concise, well-organized series of books and lessons ideal for any ukulele, guitar or fretted string player beginning to explore scales and arpeggios. Unlike so many other instruction books on the market, QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingering Series keeps a sharp focus on the six critical scales, their fingerings and their related chords. All material is covered in every key.

Related Songs

Related Songs for Major Arpeggios in Five Positions.

ANYSONG

Any Song Will Do

Updated: 07 Dec 2015

This is not really a song, but simply saying that for the purposes of a lot of the lessons and lesson series on this site ANY song will do for exploring the lesson's material and concepts presented in the lesson.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for Major Arpeggios in Five Positions.

QSUAT-C-MAJOR

QuickStart Arpeggio Fingerings for Ukulele, C Tuning - Major Triad

Updated: 28 Mar 2024

There are four traditional triads: Major, Minor, Diminished and Augmented. Based on a major scale a Major triad contains the following intervals: Root (1), 3, . A one octave fingering solution is presented for each finger starting on strings ➃, ➂ and ➁.

6SUF

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Updated: 03 Oct 2022

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Whether your style is Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz or Classical, these principles will improve your technique, your solos, even your sight reading. Think of fingering as a series of pathways. When you learn to connect these pathways, there are benefits not only to technique but also to creativity.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Related Lesson Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for Major Arpeggios in Five Positions.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering - Arpeggio Worksheet

Updated: 31 Dec 2016

Arpeggio fingering chart worksheet for exploring multiple and alternate pathways through an arpeggio.

Site Access Plans for LearningUkulele.com

Forever Access - With Forever Premium Access, you get ALL the benefits of a Premium Access Subscription such as Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources, related assets, and ALL books by Curt as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site, and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment again. And jump the queue for responding to any questions.

If you're anything like me (Curt) and getting Subscription overloaded with everything and everybody on-line wanting money from you once a month — I'm with you. For like-minded individuals, this forever plan is a pay once, and you're done.

The price for Unlimited Forever access is right around the cost of a few months of private lessons. I can guarantee there is more than enough material on-line to keep you busy for a long, long time. And, you get all of my books for FREE. That alone is more than the cost of this plan.

Premium Access - This premium gives you Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources and related assets. As well as ALL books by Curt Sheller as FREE downloads.

Basic Access - A limited selection of basic lessons — ( currently over 140 ) and 100+ songs for ukulele as well as basic general music reference material — Completely FREE — Simply Register/Signup. HOWEVER - I've been doing ukulele and LearningUkulele.com since 2003 and probably have given too much away already - as reflected in my income from the site in relationship to the time spent on the site. So help support this site and its continued development by signing up for one of the below Premium Access Plans or buy a few of my books. - Thanks, Curt

NOTE: Each higher access level includes ALL the benefits of the lower levels. Private Lessons include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on the schedule.

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!Peter Rhee

Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the bestGlen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys

Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent.fatveg — Portland

Want to drop LearningUkulele.com & Learning Ukulele with Curt a nice comment . We always like to know how we are and you are doing. We'll post any comment, quotes throughout the site and you can help spread the word .

Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

curtieAnim.gif rw.vg.gif

Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II, 37 years ago. Man, does time fly.

“Built for myself (Curt), and sharing with the `Ukulele community!”

LearningUkulele.com has one of the largest collections of lessons, songs, and TABS, Luthiers, ukulele builders, ukulele festival and club information, and, ukulele links on the web. Curt has been on the ®Internet since the early 1990's and This site just never stops growing!!!

Content is added and updated daily — so check back often. I really do need to get out more ;-)

Love LearningUkulele.com? • Show your support!
Support development via a monthly membership or a one-time forever membership!