E Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The E 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 Sixth Arpeggio
Play the E Sixth arpeggio whenever a E 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 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 Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Start the E 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 Sixth arpeggio outlines a ESixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (E, G#, B, C#) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Practice the E Sixth 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, 6M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the E Sixth 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 Sixth in Other Tunings
- E Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)