E Augmented Seventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Augmented Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, C, D#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5A, 7M
Formula: 2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: maj7#5, maj7+5, +maj7, ^7#5
The E Augmented Seventh arpeggio contains 4 notes (E, G#, C, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Augmented Seventh Arpeggio
Play the E Augmented Seventh arpeggio whenever a E Augmented 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 E Augmented Seventh arpeggio uses 4 notes (E, G#, C, D#) 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 E Augmented Seventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate E on the E string at fret 0. Span the 4 notes (E, G#, C, D#) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The E Augmented Seventh arpeggio has a symmetrical, ethereal quality built from major thirds. It fits over Eaug, E+, Emaj7#5 chords and is useful for creating a sense of upward motion and harmonic ambiguity.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the E Augmented Seventh 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 E Augmented Seventh arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (G#, C, D#) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.