A# Eleventh Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A# Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A#, F, G#, C, D#
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The A# Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (A#, F, G#, C, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the A# Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the A# Eleventh arpeggio whenever a A# Eleventh 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# Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (A#, F, G#, C, D#) 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# Eleventh Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate A# on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Eleventh arpeggio (A#, F, G#, C, D#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The A# Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over A#9, A#11, A#13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Play the A# Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (A#, F, G#, C, D#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the A# Eleventh arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 5 tones before gradually increasing speed.