D Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, F#, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The D Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (D, F#, A, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the D Sixth Arpeggio
Play the D Sixth arpeggio whenever a D Sixth 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 Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (D, F#, A, 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 Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D Sixth arpeggio at fret 10 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 5th fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (D, F#, A, B) 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 Sixth arpeggio outlines a DSixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (D, F#, A, B) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the D Sixth 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 Sixth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding D major barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore D Sixth in Other Tunings
- D Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)