B Major Thirteenth Mandolin Arpeggio
Mandolin arpeggio — fretboard diagram
B Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The B Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the B Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the B Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a B Major 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 B Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#) 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 Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Mandolin
Locate B on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Major Thirteenth arpeggio (B, D#, F#, A#, C#, G#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The B Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a B major chord and works perfectly over B, Bmaj7, B6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Practice the B Major Thirteenth 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, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the B Major Thirteenth arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 6 tones before gradually increasing speed.