E Minor Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Minor Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 6M
Formula: WH-2W-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: m6, -6
The E Minor Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (E, G, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Minor Sixth Arpeggio
Play the E Minor Sixth arpeggio whenever a E Minor 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 E Minor Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (E, G, B, C#) 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 E Minor Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Start the E Minor Sixth arpeggio in open position, using the open E string as your root. This 4-note arpeggio (E, G, B, C#) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The E Minor Sixth arpeggio outlines a E minor chord and fits naturally over Em, Em7, Em6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the E Minor 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 E Minor Sixth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding E minor barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore E Minor Sixth in Other Tunings
- E Minor Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Minor Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Minor Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Minor Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Minor Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Minor Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Minor Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Minor Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Minor Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)