B Altered Guitar Arpeggio

B Altered Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

Notes: B, D#, A, C

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 7m, 9m

Formula: 2W-6-WH

Number of notes: 4

Also known as: alt7

The B Altered arpeggio contains 4 notes (B, D#, A, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the B Altered Arpeggio

Play the B Altered arpeggio whenever a B Altered 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 B Altered arpeggio uses 4 notes (B, D#, A, C) 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 B Altered Arpeggio on Guitar

Root your B Altered arpeggio at fret 7 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 2nd fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (B, D#, A, C) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.

The B Altered arpeggio outlines a BAltered chord. Playing these 4 tones (B, D#, A, C) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.

Practice Routine

Practice the B Altered arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the D# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 7m, 9m) in any register.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the B Altered arpeggio using string skipping — jump over a string between each note to create wider intervals. This technique produces a more pianistic, open sound compared to sweep picking and develops precise right-hand accuracy.

Related Resources

Explore B Altered in Other Tunings

• B Altered in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• B Altered in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• B Altered in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• B Altered in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• B Altered in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• B Altered in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• B Altered in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• B Altered in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• B Altered in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• B Altered in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• B Altered in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• B Altered in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• B Altered in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• B Altered in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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