G Minor Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
G Minor Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: G, Bb, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 6M
Formula: WH-2W-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: m6, -6
The G Minor Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (G, Bb, D, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the G Minor Sixth Arpeggio
Play the G Minor Sixth arpeggio whenever a G 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 G Minor Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (G, Bb, D, 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 Minor Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your G Minor Sixth arpeggio at fret 3 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 10th fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (G, Bb, D, E) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The G Minor Sixth arpeggio outlines a G minor chord and fits naturally over Gm, Gm7, Gm6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Practice the G Minor Sixth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the Bb 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 G Minor 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 G Minor Sixth in Other Tunings
- G Minor Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Minor Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Minor Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Minor Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Minor Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Minor Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Minor Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Minor Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Minor Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Minor Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Minor Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)