E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Tres Cubano Arpeggio
Tres Cubano arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, B, D#, F#, A#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-2W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj9#11, Δ9#11, ^9#11
The E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio contains 6 notes (E, G#, B, D#, F#, A#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Tres Cubano. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio
Play the E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio whenever a E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) 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 Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio uses 6 notes (E, G#, B, 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 E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio on Tres Cubano
Locate E on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio (E, G#, B, D#, F#, A#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio outlines a E major chord and works perfectly over E, Emaj7, E6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) 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, 7M, 9M, 11A) in any register.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the E Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 6 tones before gradually increasing speed.