C Major Thirteenth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B, D, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The C Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the C Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a C 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 C Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A) 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 Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Span the 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The C Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the C Major Thirteenth 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 C Major Thirteenth 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.