C Fifth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Fifth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, G
Intervals: 1P, 5P
Formula: 7
Number of notes: 2
Also known as: 5
The C Fifth arpeggio contains 2 notes (C, G). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Guitar. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the C Fifth Arpeggio
Play the C Fifth arpeggio whenever a C Fifth 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 Fifth arpeggio uses 2 notes (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 C Fifth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Fifth arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. With only 2 notes (C, G), this arpeggio spans wide intervals across the strings — sweep picking is an efficient way to move through it cleanly. Keep your pick angle consistent and let each note ring individually.
The C Fifth arpeggio outlines a CFifth chord. Playing these 2 tones (C, G) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Play the C Fifth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on C. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 2 notes (C, G). 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 C Fifth 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 C Fifth in Other Tunings
- C Fifth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Fifth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Fifth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Fifth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Fifth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Fifth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Fifth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Fifth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Fifth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Fifth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Fifth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Fifth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Fifth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Fifth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)