D Major Thirteenth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, F#, A, C#, E, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The D Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Bass. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the D Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the D Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a D 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 D Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, 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 D Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate D on the A string at fret 5. Span the 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, B) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The D Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a D major chord and works perfectly over D, Dmaj7, D6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the D Major Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the F# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the D Major Thirteenth arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (F#, A, C#, E, B) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.