A# Sixth Added Ninth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, D, F, G, C
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M, 9M
Formula: 2W-WH-W-5
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 6add9, 6/9, 69, M69
The A# Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (A#, D, F, G, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio
Play the A# Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio whenever a A# Sixth Added Ninth 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# Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (A#, D, F, G, C) 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# Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate A# on the A string at fret 1. Span the 5 notes (A#, D, F, G, C) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The A# Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over A#9, A#11, A#13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the A# Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio ascending and descending at 60 BPM, one note per beat, using a metronome. Once even and confident, play it in eighth notes, then triplets, keeping each note articulate. Spend at least 5 minutes daily on this before moving to musical application.
Bass Tips
Practice the A# Sixth Added Ninth 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.