B Minor Thirteenth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D, F#, A, C#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: WH-2W-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: m13, -13
The B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (B, D, F#, A, C#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a B Minor 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 B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (B, D, F#, A, C#, G#) 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 B Minor Thirteenth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate B on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Minor Thirteenth arpeggio (B, D, F#, A, C#, G#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a B minor chord and fits naturally over Bm, Bm7, Bm6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Practice the B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the D an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3m, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the B Minor Thirteenth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 6 tones before gradually increasing speed.