C Major Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B, D, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The C Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the C Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a C Major 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 C Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A) 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 Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Major Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd 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 C Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Major Thirteenth 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, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Major 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 C Major Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- C Major Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Major Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Major Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Major Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Major Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Major Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Major Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Major Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Major Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)