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The same arpeggio pattern (see scale degrees below staff) sounds worse accompanying the IV chord than the I chord in C major here. It is the same relative pattern (scale degrees are consistent) so why does the pattern sound so much worse against the IV chord? That D note especially . . .

Please see below:

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I always seem to have difficulty with writing arpeggios. Do you have any suggestions for writing satisfying arpeggios? Something more than just outlining the basic triad . . .

Thank you!

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  • 1
    FWIW, doesn't sound that bad to me... – user45266 Sep 19 '19 at 3:33
  • 1
    Transposing an arpeggio over a large interval without a good link always feels a bit forced to me. In this instance, the D-C-E at the end of the first bar leads logically to the F at the start of the second bar, if the second arpeggio is played an octave higher. If you go back to the C chord in the third bar, you could change the last note from A to E or D to lead back down again, although the A to C drop feels less abrupt than the E to F you have now. – Your Uncle Bob Sep 19 '19 at 4:15

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