F# Minor/major Ninth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F# Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F#, A, C#, F, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7M, 9M
Formula: WH-2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: mM9, mMaj9, -^9
The F# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (F#, A, C#, F, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the F# Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio
Play the F# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio whenever a F# Minor/major Ninth 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/major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (F#, A, C#, F, G#) 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/major Ninth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate F# on the E string at fret 2. Span the 5 notes (F#, A, C#, F, G#) 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/major Ninth 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
Play the F# Minor/major Ninth 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#, A, C#, F, G#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Bass Tips
Practice the F# Minor/major Ninth 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.