A Major Seventh Flat Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A, C#, F, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 6m, 7M
Formula: 2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: M7b6, ^7b6
The A Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio
Play the A Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio whenever a A Major Seventh Flat 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 A Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your A Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio outlines a A major chord and works perfectly over A, Amaj7, A6 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 A Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Other Tunings
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Major Seventh Flat Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)