G Minor/major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
G Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: G, Bb, D, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7M, 9M
Formula: WH-2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: mM9, mMaj9, -^9
The G Minor/major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (G, Bb, D, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the G Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio
Play the G Minor/major Ninth arpeggio whenever a G Minor/major Ninth 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/major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (G, Bb, D, F#, A) 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/major Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your G Minor/major Ninth arpeggio at fret 3 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 10th fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (G, Bb, D, F#, A) 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/major Ninth 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
Start by playing the G Minor/major Ninth arpeggio ascending and descending at 60 BPM, one note per beat, using a metronome. Once even and confident, play it in eighth notes, then triplets, keeping each note articulate. Spend at least 5 minutes daily on this before moving to musical application.
Guitar Tips
Try playing the G Minor/major Ninth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding G minor barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore G Minor/major Ninth in Other Tunings
- G Minor/major Ninth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor/major Ninth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Minor/major Ninth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Minor/major Ninth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Minor/major Ninth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)