D# Altered Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D# Altered Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D#, G, C#, E
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 7m, 9m
Formula: 2W-6-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: alt7
The D# Altered arpeggio contains 4 notes (D#, G, C#, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the D# Altered Arpeggio
Play the D# Altered arpeggio whenever a D# Altered 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# Altered arpeggio uses 4 notes (D#, G, C#, E) 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# Altered Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D# Altered arpeggio at fret 11 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 6th fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (D#, G, C#, E) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The D# Altered arpeggio outlines a D#Altered chord. Playing these 4 tones (D#, G, C#, E) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Play the D# Altered arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on D#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 4 notes (D#, G, C#, E). 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 D# Altered 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 D# Altered in Other Tunings
- D# Altered in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Altered in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D# Altered in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D# Altered in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D# Altered in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D# Altered in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D# Altered in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D# Altered in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D# Altered in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D# Altered in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D# Altered in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D# Altered in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D# Altered in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Altered in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)