B Sixth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The B Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (B, D#, F#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Sixth Arpeggio
Play the B Sixth arpeggio whenever a B 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 B Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (B, D#, 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 B Sixth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate B on the A string at fret 2. Span the 4 notes (B, D#, 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 B Sixth arpeggio outlines a BSixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (B, D#, F#, G#) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the B Sixth 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
On bass, use the B Sixth arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (D#, F#, G#) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.