E Minor Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G, B, D, F#, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: WH-2W-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: m13, -13
The E Minor Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (E, G, B, D, F#, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the E Minor Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a E 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 E Minor Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (E, G, B, D, F#, 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 Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Start the E Minor Thirteenth arpeggio in open position, using the open E string as your root. 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 E Minor Thirteenth 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
Practice the E Minor Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the G an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the E Minor Thirteenth 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 E Minor Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- E Minor Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)