D Fifth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D Fifth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, A
Intervals: 1P, 5P
Formula: 7
Number of notes: 2
Also known as: 5
The D Fifth arpeggio contains 2 notes (D, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the D Fifth Arpeggio
Play the D Fifth arpeggio whenever a D 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 D Fifth arpeggio uses 2 notes (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 D Fifth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D Fifth arpeggio at fret 10 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 5th fret on the A string. With only 2 notes (D, A), 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 D Fifth arpeggio outlines a DFifth chord. Playing these 2 tones (D, A) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Practice the D Fifth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the A an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 5P) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D Fifth 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 D Fifth in Other Tunings
- D Fifth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Fifth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Fifth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Fifth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Fifth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Fifth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Fifth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Fifth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Fifth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Fifth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Fifth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Fifth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Fifth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Fifth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)