D# Major Thirteenth Banjo (5-String) Arpeggio
Banjo (5-String) arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D#, G, A#, D, F, C
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The D# Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (D#, G, A#, D, F, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the D# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the D# Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a D# 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 D# Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (D#, G, A#, D, F, C) 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 D# Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Banjo (5-String)
Locate D# on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Major Thirteenth arpeggio (D#, G, A#, D, F, C) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The D# Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a D# major chord and works perfectly over D#, D#maj7, D#6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Play the D# Major Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on D#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (D#, G, A#, D, F, C). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the D# 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.