B Eleventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, F#, A, C#, E
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The B Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, E). 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 Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the B Eleventh arpeggio whenever a B 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 B Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (B, F#, A, C#, E) 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 Eleventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your B Eleventh arpeggio at fret 7 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 2nd fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (B, F#, A, C#, E) 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 Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over B9, B11, B13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the B Eleventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the F# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Eleventh 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 Eleventh in Other Tunings
- B Eleventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Eleventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Eleventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Eleventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Eleventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Eleventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Eleventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Eleventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Eleventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Eleventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Eleventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Eleventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Eleventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Eleventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)