C Minor/major Seventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Minor/major Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, Eb, G, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7M
Formula: WH-2W-2W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: m/ma7, m/maj7, mM7, mMaj7, m/M7, -Δ7, mΔ, -^7, -maj7
The C Minor/major Seventh arpeggio contains 4 notes (C, Eb, G, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Minor/major Seventh Arpeggio
Play the C Minor/major Seventh arpeggio whenever a C Minor/major Seventh 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 Minor/major Seventh arpeggio uses 4 notes (C, Eb, G, B) 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 Minor/major Seventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Span the 4 notes (C, Eb, G, B) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The C Minor/major Seventh arpeggio outlines a C minor chord and fits naturally over Cm, Cm7, Cm6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Minor/major Seventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the Eb an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3m, 5P, 7M) in any register.
Bass Tips
Practice the C Minor/major Seventh 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.