D Minor Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, F, A, C, E, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: WH-2W-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: m13, -13
The D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (D, F, A, C, E, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the D Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a D Minor 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 D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (D, F, A, C, E, 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 D Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 10 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 5th 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 D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a D minor chord and fits naturally over Dm, Dm7, Dm6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the D Minor Thirteenth 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 D Minor Thirteenth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding D minor barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore D Minor Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- D Minor Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Minor Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Minor Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Minor Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Minor Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)