B Major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio

B Major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

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

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

Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH

Number of notes: 5

Also known as: maj9, Δ9, ^9

The B Major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the B Major Ninth Arpeggio

Play the B Major Ninth arpeggio whenever a B Major 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 Major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (B, D#, F#, 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 Major Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar

Root your B Major 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#, 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 Major Ninth arpeggio outlines a B major chord and works perfectly over B, Bmaj7, B6 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 B Major Ninth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on B. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#). 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 B Major Ninth 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 B Major Ninth in Other Tunings

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

← Back to all Guitar arpeggios