A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, D, F, A, E
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: maj#4, Δ#4, Δ#11, M7#11, ^7#11, maj7#11
The A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (A#, D, F, A, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh arpeggio whenever a A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh 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 Seventh Sharp Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (A#, D, F, A, E) 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 Seventh Sharp Eleventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate A# on the A string at fret 1. Span the 5 notes (A#, D, F, A, E) 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 Seventh Sharp Eleventh arpeggio outlines a A# major chord and works perfectly over A#, A#maj7, A#6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Play the A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (A#, D, F, A, E). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Bass Tips
Practice the A# Major Seventh Sharp Eleventh 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.