B Eleventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, F#, A, C#, E
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The B Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the B Eleventh arpeggio whenever a B 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 B Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, 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 B Eleventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate B on the A string at fret 2. Span the 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, E) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The B Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over B9, B11, B13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Play the B Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on B. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, E). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Bass Tips
Practice the B 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.