G Dominant Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio

G Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

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

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

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

Number of notes: 6

Also known as: 13

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

When to Use the G Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio

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

Root your G Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 3 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 10th 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 G Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over G7, G9, G13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.

Practice Routine

Play the G Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on G. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (G, B, D, F, A, E). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the G Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.

Related Resources

Explore G Dominant Thirteenth in Other Tunings

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

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