C Major Thirteenth Banjo (5-String) Arpeggio
Banjo (5-String) arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B, D, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The C Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the C Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a C 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 C Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, 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 C Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Banjo (5-String)
Locate C on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Major Thirteenth arpeggio (C, E, G, B, D, A) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The C Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 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 C Major Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the E an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the C Major Thirteenth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 6 tones before gradually increasing speed.