C Augmented Seventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Augmented Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G#, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5A, 7M
Formula: 2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: maj7#5, maj7+5, +maj7, ^7#5
The C Augmented Seventh arpeggio contains 4 notes (C, E, G#, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Augmented Seventh Arpeggio
Play the C Augmented Seventh arpeggio whenever a C Augmented Seventh 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 C Augmented Seventh arpeggio uses 4 notes (C, E, G#, B) 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 C Augmented Seventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Augmented Seventh arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (C, E, G#, B) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The C Augmented Seventh arpeggio has a symmetrical, ethereal quality built from major thirds. It fits over Caug, C+, Cmaj7#5 chords and is useful for creating a sense of upward motion and harmonic ambiguity.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Augmented Seventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the E an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5A, 7M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Augmented Seventh 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 C Augmented Seventh in Other Tunings
- C Augmented Seventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Augmented Seventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Augmented Seventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Augmented Seventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Augmented Seventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Augmented Seventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Augmented Seventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Augmented Seventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Augmented Seventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Augmented Seventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Augmented Seventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Augmented Seventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Augmented Seventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Augmented Seventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)