A# Dominant Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, D, F, G#, C, G
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: 13
The A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (A#, D, F, G#, C, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a A# Dominant 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 A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (A#, D, F, G#, C, 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# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 6 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 1st fret on the A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over A#7, A#9, A#13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine
Play the A# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (A#, D, F, G#, C, 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# Dominant Thirteenth 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# Dominant Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A# Dominant Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)