F# Minor Sixth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F# Minor Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F#, A, C#, D#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 6M
Formula: WH-2W-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: m6, -6
The F# Minor Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (F#, A, C#, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the F# Minor Sixth Arpeggio
Play the F# Minor Sixth arpeggio whenever a F# Minor 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 F# Minor Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (F#, A, 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 F# Minor Sixth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate F# on the E string at fret 2. Span the 4 notes (F#, A, 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 F# Minor Sixth arpeggio outlines a F# minor chord and fits naturally over F#m, F#m7, F#m6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Practice the F# Minor Sixth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the A an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3m, 5P, 6M) in any register.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the F# Minor Sixth arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (A, C#, D#) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.