B Dominant Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio

B Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

Notes: B, D#, F#, A, C#, G#

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M

Formula: 2W-WH-WH-2W-7

Number of notes: 6

Also known as: 13

The B Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A, C#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the B Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio

Play the B Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a B 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 B Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A, 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 B Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar

Root your B Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 7 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 2nd 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 B Dominant Thirteenth 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 Thirteenth 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, 9M, 13M) in any register.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the B Dominant Thirteenth 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 Thirteenth in Other Tunings

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

← Back to all Guitar arpeggios