B Major Thirteenth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The B Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the B Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a B Major Thirteenth 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 Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, 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 B Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate B on the A string at fret 2. Span the 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The B Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a B major chord and works perfectly over B, Bmaj7, B6 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 B Major Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on B. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the B Major Thirteenth arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (D#, F#, A#, C#, G#) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.