C# Dominant Thirteenth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C#, F, G#, B, D#, A#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: 13
The C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (C#, F, G#, B, D#, A#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a C# Dominant 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 C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (C#, F, G#, B, D#, A#) 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# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate C# on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio (C#, F, G#, B, D#, A#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over C#7, C#9, C#13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine
Play the C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on C#. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (C#, F, G#, B, D#, A#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the C# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 6 tones before gradually increasing speed.