Ok, so I'm a bit of a noob.

I'm clear on the idea and have been practicing my arpeggios 1-3-5-7

Which is ok. BUT, what is happening now is that I find I'm totally lost if not starting on the root.

For instance say my ii Chord is played 1-3-5-7 now I am not within a half-step or two of the V chord root and I panic. Given time I figure out to use the 3rd of my V chord but it just doesn't seem to be sticking in my brain and fingers.

If, for example, I play the ii chord 1-5-7-5 now I'm close to the root for my V chord and I can handle that. A little slowly of course but at least I don't get lost.


Any suggestions for how to break out of this dilemna?

THANKS

Practice going 1-3-5-7 on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7. Once you get that in all keys, start on the third of the ii and repeat the exercise accordingly.

Get the book melodic structures by Jerry Bergonzi. He is a sax player but the book has exercises like the ones suggested above. Very good book for any instrument!

Practice arpeggios in their various inversions. Get as familiar with them and with the sound of them in relation to the chord you're ostensibly playing over (so that you don't hear them as upper structure triads but rather as extended tensions) -- as you are with root position arpeggios.

Then (as suggested by Michael Case, above) practice mixing inversions: the ii in root position followed by the V in 1st inversion, etc.

And don't neglect non-chord tones to connect arpeggios when creating a line that's supposed to smoothly transition through chord changes.

i'm not sure i understand fully what your problem is, but jusst working on being able to find common interval shapes quickley on the fretboard, and seeing the scale shapes might help.

The best way to figure out "fingering dilemmas" like this, are to write out the exercise. Then practice from the paper until you've got it, then practice without the paper. It's much easier this way.

The best way to figure out "fingering dilemmas" like this, are to write out the exercise. Then practice from the paper until you've got it, then practice without the paper. It's much easier this way.

+1

If you're getting lost, slow down. Walk before you run...

http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/south_dakota_politics/images/2007/04/02/nedflanders.jpg
Hidely Ho.
Sorry had to do it.

But, Persistence is always the key. I believe you are thinking about it way too much, thus the panic.
Embellish "what you can, when you can", until you can align your brain and your motor skills.

Practice going 1-3-5-7 on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7. Once you get that in all keys, start on the third of the ii and repeat the exercise accordingly.

Thanks, I tried this today and it seems a GREAT exercise.

So next would be

3-5-7-1(8) on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7
after which
5-7-1(8)-3(10) on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7

??

This approach, by the way, is the premise behind Jeff Berlin's "Chord tone system for the mastery of the electric bass" book. I think it came out in the late 80s. Great material to work on here. I'd guarantee this improving your soloing if you take your time and work it...

Thanks, I tried this today and it seems a GREAT exercise.

So next would be

3-5-7-1(8) on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7
after which
5-7-1(8)-3(10) on the ii then 3-1-7-5 on the V chord then 1-3-5-7

??

Yep, you got it. After this you can start using this type of exercise on standard tunes. Something like "Autumn Leaves" is a good start.