C Sixth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The C Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (C, E, G, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Sixth Arpeggio
Play the C Sixth arpeggio whenever a C 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 Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (C, E, G, 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 Sixth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate C on your instrument and play through the 4 notes of the Sixth arpeggio (C, E, G, A) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The C Sixth arpeggio outlines a CSixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (C, E, G, A) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Practice the C 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, 5P, 6M) in any register.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the C Sixth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 4 tones before gradually increasing speed.