C Eleventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, G, Bb, D, F
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The C Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (C, G, Bb, D, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the C Eleventh arpeggio whenever a C 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 C Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (C, G, Bb, D, F) 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 C Eleventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Span the 5 notes (C, G, Bb, D, F) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The C Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over C9, C11, C13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Eleventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the G an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P) in any register.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the C Eleventh arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (G, Bb, D, F) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.