A# Minor Sixth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Minor Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, C#, F, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 6M
Formula: WH-2W-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: m6, -6
The A# Minor Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (A#, C#, F, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Minor Sixth Arpeggio
Play the A# Minor Sixth arpeggio whenever a A# Minor Sixth 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# Minor Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (A#, C#, F, G) 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# Minor Sixth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate A# on the A string at fret 1. Span the 4 notes (A#, C#, F, G) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The A# Minor Sixth arpeggio outlines a A# minor chord and fits naturally over A#m, A#m7, A#m6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Practice the A# Minor Sixth 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, 6M) in any register.
Bass Tips
Practice the A# Minor Sixth 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.