E Eleventh Tres Cubano Arpeggio
Tres Cubano arpeggio — fretboard diagram
E Eleventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: E, B, D, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 5P, 7m, 9M, 11P
Formula: 7-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 11
The E Eleventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the E Eleventh Arpeggio
Play the E Eleventh arpeggio whenever a E Eleventh 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 E Eleventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, A) 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 E Eleventh Arpeggio on Tres Cubano
Locate E on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Eleventh arpeggio (E, B, D, F#, A) slowly, ensuring each tone rings clearly before connecting them at speed.
The E Eleventh arpeggio contains extended tones beyond the basic triad, adding harmonic color and sophistication. Use it over E9, E11, E13 chords to outline richer voicings in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul contexts.
Practice Routine
Play the E Eleventh arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on E. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (E, B, D, F#, A). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the E Eleventh arpeggio on your instrument at a slow, comfortable tempo, focusing on clean articulation of each of the 5 tones before gradually increasing speed.