# Chords on the bass

*Module 7 · Lesson 1: Triads and arpeggios · BazzLow*

> Understand the difference between a chord, an arpeggio and chord tones, and why bassists usually play arpeggios.

Before this lesson: [4.7 Consonance and dissonance](https://bazzlow.com/en/intervals/consonance-and-dissonance/) · [5.2 Scale degrees](https://bazzlow.com/en/major-scale-and-keys/scale-degrees/)

On the bass you will almost never play a whole chord at once. You will play the notes of the chord one at a time, and the choice of notes is most of your job.

## Chord, arpeggio, chord tones

- A **chord** is three or more different notes sounding together. Two-note combinations such as the power chord (lesson 7.7) are often called chords too; strictly they are intervals, or **dyads**.
- An **arpeggio** is a chord played one note at a time.
- The **chord tones** are the notes that belong to the chord, in any order or octave.

> **Diagram:** C as chord tones in one position: C on the A string (fret 3), E on the D string (fret 2), G on the D string (fret 5). Played in the order 1-2-3, from the lowest note up, they form an arpeggio.

## Why bassists play arpeggios

The bass usually **outlines** the chord with its chord tones instead of playing them together:

- close intervals, especially 3rds, sound muddy in the bass’s low register, while octaves, 5ths and 10ths stay clear;
- guitar and keyboards already play the full chord; the bass gives it its foundation, usually the root.

The note a bassist chooses changes how the whole band’s chord sounds. Playing the root makes it solid. Playing another chord tone gives an “inversion” (lesson 7.6). Chord names, construction and shapes in this module apply whether the notes are played together or apart.

## Try it

Play C, E and G one after the other (A string fret 3, D string frets 2 and 5). Then try playing two of them at once, low on the neck and then high on the neck. Listen to how clear each sounds.

## New terms

- chord
- arpeggio
- chord tone
- dyad
- outline

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/chords-on-the-bass/