E Eleventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, B, D, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The E Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the E Eleventh arpeggio whenever a E 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 E Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, 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 E Eleventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate E on the E string at fret 0. Span the 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, A) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The E Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over E9, E11, E13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Practice the E Eleventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the B 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 E Eleventh arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (B, D, F#, A) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.