D# Dominant Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D#, G, A#, C#, F, C
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-2W-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: 13
The D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (D#, G, A#, C#, F, 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 D# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a D# Dominant Thirteenth 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 D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (D#, G, A#, C#, F, 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 D# Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 11 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 6th fret on the A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over D#7, D#9, D#13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the D# Dominant Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the G an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D# Dominant Thirteenth 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
- Harmonize D# Dominant Thirteenth
- Browse Chord Progressions
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- D# Dominant Thirteenth on Bass
Explore D# Dominant Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Dominant Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)