There are 5 basic shapes you can use to play minor arpeggios. These shapes are called either C, A, G, E, or D minor. They can be easily associated with their minor chord counterparts as seen in the 2nd diagram under each shape.
The arpeggios on this page are in closed position (movable forms).
Each arpeggio shape has two diagrams. The one on the left portrays the correct fingerings. The diagram on the right highlights the arpeggio shape with its base chord shape.
Cm Shape
This is a F#/Gbm arpeggio using the Cm style pattern:
| root on fret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| =arpeggio | – | – | – | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
Am Shape
This is a Bm arpeggio using the Am style pattern:
| root on fret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| arpeggio | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Dd | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A |
Gm Shape
This is a Dm arpeggio using the Gm style pattern:
| root on fret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| arpeggio | – | – | G Open | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
Em Shape
This is a D#/Ebm arpeggio using the Em style pattern:
| root on fret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| arpeggio | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E |
Dm Shape
This is a Fm arpeggio using the Dm style:
| root on fret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| arpeggio | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D |