F Sixth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F Sixth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F, A, C, D
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 6M
Formula: 2W-WH-W
Number of notes: 4
Also known as: 6, add6, add13, M6
The F Sixth arpeggio contains 4 notes (F, A, C, 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 F Sixth Arpeggio
Play the F Sixth arpeggio whenever a F 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 F Sixth arpeggio uses 4 notes (F, A, C, 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 F Sixth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your F Sixth arpeggio at fret 1 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 8th fret on the A string. This 4-note arpeggio (F, A, C, 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 F Sixth arpeggio outlines a FSixth chord. Playing these 4 tones (F, A, C, D) over the matching harmony ensures your melodic lines clearly follow the chord changes.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Play the F Sixth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on F. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 4 notes (F, A, C, 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 F Sixth 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 F Sixth in Other Tunings
- F Sixth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Sixth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- F Sixth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- F Sixth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- F Sixth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- F Sixth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- F Sixth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- F Sixth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- F Sixth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- F Sixth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- F Sixth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- F Sixth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- F Sixth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Sixth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)