A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A, C#, E, G#, B, D#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-2W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj9#11, Δ9#11, ^9#11
The A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio contains 6 notes (A, C#, E, G#, B, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio
Play the A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio whenever a A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio uses 6 notes (A, C#, E, G#, B, D#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate A on the E string at fret 5. Span the 6 notes (A, C#, E, G#, B, D#) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio outlines a A major chord and works perfectly over A, Amaj7, A6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the C# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A) in any register.
Bass Tips
Practice the A Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio on bass using a raking technique across adjacent strings for a smooth, flowing sound. Then try the same shape with a two-finger alternating pluck for a more defined, punchy articulation.