G# Major Thirteenth Bass Arpeggio
Bass arpeggio — fretboard diagram
G# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: G#, C, D#, G, A#, F
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (G#, C, D#, G, A#, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the G# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a G# Major Thirteenth 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 G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (G#, C, D#, G, A#, F) 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 G# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Bass
On bass, locate G# on the E string at fret 4. Span the 6 notes (G#, C, D#, G, A#, F) across two to three strings using one finger per fret. Focus on even tone production between plucked strings and smooth position shifts.
The G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a G# major chord and works perfectly over G#, G#maj7, G#6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Play the G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on G#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (G#, C, D#, G, A#, F). 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 G# Major Thirteenth arpeggio as the skeleton for your bass lines. Target the root on beat 1, then use the other tones (C, D#, G, A#, F) on weaker beats to create movement while keeping the harmonic foundation solid.