A# Dominant Sharp Ninth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, D, F, G#, B##
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9A
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-5
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 7#9
The A# Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (A#, D, F, G#, B##). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio
Play the A# Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio whenever a A# Dominant Sharp 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 A# Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (A#, D, F, G#, B##) 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 A# Dominant Sharp Ninth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate A# on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio (A#, D, F, G#, B##) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The A# Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over A#7, A#9, A#13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the A# Dominant Sharp 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.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the A# Dominant Sharp Ninth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 5 tones before gradually increasing speed.