C Minor Augmented Mandolin Arpeggio
Mandolin arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Minor Augmented Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, Eb, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5A
Formula: WH-5
Number of notes: 3
Also known as: m#5, -#5, m+
The C Minor Augmented arpeggio contains 3 notes (C, Eb, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Minor Augmented Arpeggio
Play the C Minor Augmented arpeggio whenever a C Minor Augmented 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 C Minor Augmented arpeggio uses 3 notes (C, Eb, 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 C Minor Augmented Arpeggio on Mandolin
Locate C on your instrument and play through the 3 notes of the Minor Augmented arpeggio (C, Eb, G#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The C Minor Augmented arpeggio has a symmetrical, ethereal quality built from major thirds. It fits over Caug, C+, Cmaj7#5 chords and is useful for creating a sense of upward motion and harmonic ambiguity.
Practice Routine
Play the C Minor Augmented arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on C. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 3 notes (C, Eb, G#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the C Minor Augmented arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 3 tones before gradually increasing speed.