F Major Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio

F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

Notes: F, A, C, E, G, D

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M

Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7

Number of notes: 6

Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13

The F Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (F, A, C, E, G, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio

Play the F Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a F Major 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 F Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (F, A, C, E, G, D) 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 F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar

Root your F Major Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 1 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 8th fret on the A string. 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 F Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a F major chord and works perfectly over F, Fmaj7, F6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.

Practice Routine

Practice the F Major Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the A 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 F Major 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 F Major Thirteenth in Other Tunings

• F Major Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• F Major Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• F Major Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• F Major Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• F Major Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• F Major Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• F Major Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• F Major Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• F Major Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• F Major Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• F Major Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• F Major Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• F Major Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• F Major Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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