B Sixth Added Ninth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, G#, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M, 9M
Formula: 2W-WH-W-5
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 6add9, 6/9, 69, M69
The B Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, D#, F#, G#, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio
Play the B Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio whenever a B Sixth Added 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 B Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (B, D#, F#, G#, 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 B Sixth Added Ninth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate B on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio (B, D#, F#, G#, C#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The B Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over B9, B11, B13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Practice the B Sixth Added Ninth 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, 6M, 9M) in any register.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the B Sixth Added Ninth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 5 tones before gradually increasing speed.