F Minor Augmented Mandolin Arpeggio
Mandolin arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F Minor Augmented Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F, Ab, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5A
Formula: WH-5
Number of notes: 3
Also known as: m#5, -#5, m+
The F Minor Augmented arpeggio contains 3 notes (F, Ab, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the F Minor Augmented Arpeggio
Play the F Minor Augmented arpeggio whenever a F 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 F Minor Augmented arpeggio uses 3 notes (F, Ab, 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 F Minor Augmented Arpeggio on Mandolin
Locate F on your instrument and play through the 3 notes of the Minor Augmented arpeggio (F, Ab, C#) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The F Minor Augmented arpeggio has a symmetrical, ethereal quality built from major thirds. It fits over Faug, F+, Fmaj7#5 chords and is useful for creating a sense of upward motion and harmonic ambiguity.
Practice Routine
Play the F Minor Augmented arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on F. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 3 notes (F, Ab, C#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the F 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.