F# Eleventh Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F# Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F#, C#, E, G#, B
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The F# Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (F#, C#, E, G#, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the F# Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the F# Eleventh arpeggio whenever a F# 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 F# Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (F#, C#, E, 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 F# Eleventh Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate F# on the E string at fret 2. Span the 5 notes (F#, C#, E, 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 F# Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over F#9, F#11, F#13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Play the F# Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on F#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (F#, C#, E, G#, B). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the F# Eleventh arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (C#, E, G#, B) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.