E Sixth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The E Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (E, G#, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Sixth Arpeggio
Play the E Sixth arpeggio whenever a E Sixth 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 Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (E, G#, B, C#) 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 Sixth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate E on the E string at fret 0. Span the 4 notes (E, G#, B, C#) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The E Sixth arpeggio outlines a ESixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (E, G#, B, C#) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the E Sixth 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 E Sixth 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.