Improvising with Mini Arpeggios

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Paul Musso

Paul Musso's mini arpeggios series will get you prepared for jazz improvisation starting with the basic building blocks.

7 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

97% Appoval

125 of 127 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

Access this course, along with all other courses with Membership.

Full Course Breakdown

We'll take a look at Paul's approach to Jazz Improvisation, which will employ the mini arpeggio over a variety of different chord progressions.

1

Series Introduction

Paul Musso offers another great series in the jazz genre. This time, you will be learning the basic building blocks of jazz improvisation with mini arpeggios. Paul dives right in with the 10 basic arpeggio shapes to get you started.

19:49 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

2

Mini Arpeggios Over a Blues Progression

In his newest lesson, Paul Musso plays mini arpeggios over a G jazz blues progression. He briefly reviews the progression and goes over the arpeggio etude step by step. Then, he plays it slowly and in time.

10:44 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
3

Approach Tones

Paul Musso discusses how to use approach tones to make mini arpeggio lines more interesting. He talks about the 4 basic approach tones and how they apply.

10:15 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Lots of Licks

In this lesson, Paul looks at several licks that utilize mini arpeggios. You will also take a look at the whole step approach tones he mentioned in the previous lesson.

32:31 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Improvising Over ii-V-I Progressions

In lesson five, Paul Musso introduces more great licks and discusses improvising over ii-V-I progressions with mini arpeggios.

22:12 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

Combining Mini Arpeggios with Scales

Paul Musso looks at combining mini arpeggios with scales. He emphasizes that good improvisations should involve a seamless combination of scales and arpeggios.

21:01 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Ultimate Mini Arpeggio Challenge

Paul Musso invites you to take the ultimate mini arpeggio challenge. You will be playing over a random series of chords using mini arpeggios and a metronome.

14:12 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

Let's Start. Together.

Setup your account and explore our courses, teaching tools and resources.

Get Started
  • Denver, Colorado
  • Playing since 1973
  • 14 lessons at JamPlay


Paul Musso is an Assistant Professor and Area Head of Music Performance in the Music and Entertainment Industry Studies Department at the University of Colorado Denver. Paul is a freelance guitarist and has performed throughout the Colorado area with many diverse ensembles including the Colorado Symphony, the Boulder Festival Orchestra, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Westcliff Jazz Festival. Paul has also performed throughout Europe, Mexico and the United States.
Reviews & Feedback 97/100 with 127 ratings
larry

A really nice lesson.

dpfresh

All of the above. Easy to grasp what he is saying, good teaching style!

eminkovitch

All three choices!

baluba007

Amazing teacher! I wish he had more material on this site.

sualk1065

Great was to explore the fretboard.

Gtork

Very good.

myjamplays

Great in depth practical use. I got a lot out of this lesson.

JPK

great teacher! explains some fairly complex concepts in a simple to understand manner. Great examples too!

mr_scary

Great way to look at arpeggios - simple idea but I never really thought about this before - simple ideas with endless possibilities - great!!!!

justlittleoleme

I'm trying different lessons and teachers with the ultimate goal of playing the sounds of Jazz. . .I think this is a good foundation place to continue. I'm on my third year of lessons starting from scratch.

Cruiser50

Keeps it simple. My level :)

kuolema

Lots of content in a short time. Yet, together with the supplemtental content it was easy to follow.

purple4brown

Well organized lessons Thank you!

chasman61

Presented well. Easy to understand. Great lesson.

Mkingslight

This is fantastic, I've been playing for 25 years and have never heard these explained so simply and well. Thank you! Micaela Kingslight

boone114

Very clear and easy to understand and implement. I like how after Paul explained the concepts he gave a very clear and easy "do this next" assignment before proceeding to the next lesson. Thanks Paul!

feelsomax

Very clear and professional .... very good theory and practice

COLINFOLK

very good intro to azz imp

daveedgeguitar

WOW! LOVE IT!