C Eleventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, G, Bb, D, F
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The C Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (C, G, Bb, D, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the C Eleventh arpeggio whenever a C Eleventh 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 Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (C, G, Bb, D, F) 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 Eleventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Eleventh arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (C, G, Bb, D, F) 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 Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over C9, C11, C13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the C Eleventh arpeggio ascending and descending at 60 BPM, one note per beat, using a metronome. Once even and confident, play it in eighth notes, then triplets, keeping each note articulate. Spend at least 5 minutes daily on this before moving to musical application.
Guitar Tips
Try playing the C Eleventh arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding C major barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore C Eleventh in Other Tunings
- C Eleventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Eleventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Eleventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Eleventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Eleventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Eleventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Eleventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Eleventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Eleventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Eleventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Eleventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Eleventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Eleventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Eleventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)