Originally Posted by: kjproHi all, just want to know how arpeggios work in a solo as opposed to chord tones. Are they the same and if not what's the difference?

Arpeggios are sequential successions of the chord tones (in whatever their arrangement: root position, first inversion, second inversion, etc). Arpeggios do not have to be played in a sweep manner, but for many guitarists they usually are for dramatic effect. It is using the inherit emotion of the chord as a lick or a line instead of a "block".

Chord tones are not necessarily played in sequential fashion. You can play chord tones in any order at any time. Arpeggios, no matter the rhythm played are always played in a specific order depending on the chord used. So some examples for using chord tones are: in a melody, or in a lick, or in a tapping, or in legato lines, etc. Chord tones in solos often function as the release of tension. You use the non-chord tones as the tension builders, but use the chord tones as the moments of release.