A Eleventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
A Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: A, E, G, B, D
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The A Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (A, E, G, B, D). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Guitar. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the A Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the A Eleventh arpeggio whenever a A Eleventh 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 A Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (A, E, G, B, D) 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 A Eleventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your A Eleventh arpeggio at fret 5 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at open position using open A string. This 5-note arpeggio (A, E, G, B, D) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The A Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over A9, A11, A13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Play the A Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on A. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (A, E, G, B, D). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the A Eleventh arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.
Related Resources
Explore A Eleventh in Other Tunings
- A Eleventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Eleventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Eleventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Eleventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Eleventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Eleventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Eleventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Eleventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Eleventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Eleventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Eleventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Eleventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Eleventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Eleventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)