B Dominant Sharp Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, A, D
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9A
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-5
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 7#9
The B Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, D#, F#, A, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio
Play the B Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio whenever a B Dominant Sharp Ninth 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 Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (B, D#, F#, A, D) 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 Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your B Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio at fret 7 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 2nd fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (B, D#, F#, A, D) 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 Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over B7, B9, B13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine
Practice the B Dominant Sharp Ninth 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, 5P, 7m, 9A) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Dominant Sharp Ninth 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 Dominant Sharp Ninth in Other Tunings
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Dominant Sharp Ninth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)