B Altered Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Altered Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, A, C
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 7m, 9m
Formula: 2W-6-WH
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: alt7
The B Altered arpeggio contains 4 notes (B, D#, A, C). 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 B Altered Arpeggio
Play the B Altered arpeggio whenever a B Altered 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 B Altered arpeggio uses 4 notes (B, D#, A, 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 B Altered Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your B Altered arpeggio at fret 7 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 2nd fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (B, D#, A, C) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The B Altered arpeggio outlines a BAltered chord. Playing these 4 tones (B, D#, A, C) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the B Altered arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the D# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 7m, 9m) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Altered arpeggio using string skipping — jump over a string between each note to create wider intervals. This technique produces a more pianistic, open sound compared to sweep picking and develops precise right-hand accuracy.
Related Resources
Explore B Altered in Other Tunings
- B Altered in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Altered in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Altered in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Altered in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Altered in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Altered in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Altered in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Altered in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Altered in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Altered in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Altered in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Altered in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Altered in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Altered in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)