A Augmented Seventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A Augmented Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A, C#, F, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5A, 7M
Formula: 2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: maj7#5, maj7+5, +maj7, ^7#5
The A Augmented Seventh arpeggio contains 4 notes (A, C#, F, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A Augmented Seventh Arpeggio
Play the A Augmented Seventh arpeggio whenever a A Augmented Seventh 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 A Augmented Seventh arpeggio uses 4 notes (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 A Augmented Seventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your A Augmented Seventh arpeggio at fret 5 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at open position using open A string. This 4-note arpeggio (A, C#, F, G#) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The A Augmented Seventh arpeggio has a symmetrical, ethereal quality built from major thirds. It fits over Aaug, A+, Amaj7#5 chords and is useful for creating a sense of upward motion and harmonic ambiguity.
Practice Routine
Play the A Augmented Seventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 4 notes (A, C#, F, G#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the A Augmented Seventh arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.
Related Resources
Explore A Augmented Seventh in Other Tunings
- A Augmented Seventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Augmented Seventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Augmented Seventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Augmented Seventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Augmented Seventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Augmented Seventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Augmented Seventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Augmented Seventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Augmented Seventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Augmented Seventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Augmented Seventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Augmented Seventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Augmented Seventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Augmented Seventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)