E Sixth Cavaquinho Arpeggio
Cavaquinho arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, G#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The E Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (E, G#, B, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Sixth Arpeggio
Play the E Sixth arpeggio whenever a E 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 E Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (E, G#, B, 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 E Sixth Arpeggio on Cavaquinho
Locate E on your instrument and play through the 4 notes of the Sixth arpeggio (E, G#, B, C#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The E Sixth arpeggio outlines a ESixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (E, G#, B, C#) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine
Play the E Sixth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on E. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 4 notes (E, G#, B, C#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the E Sixth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 4 tones before gradually increasing speed.