C Major Seventh Flat Sixth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, Ab, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 6m, 7M
Formula: 2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: M7b6, ^7b6
The C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (C, E, Ab, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio
Play the C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio whenever a C Major Seventh Flat Sixth 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 C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (C, E, Ab, 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 C Major Seventh Flat Sixth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate C on your instrument and play through the 4 notes of the Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio (C, E, Ab, B) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the E an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 6m, 7M) in any register.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the C Major Seventh Flat Sixth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 4 tones before gradually increasing speed.