Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

A Dominant 7 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning

A Dominant 7 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning shows the same a dominant 7 arpeggio chord tones across 6 strings tuned C G C G C E. The tuning changes where the same chord tones sit across the fretboard.

Chord tones
A, C#, E, G
Formula
1 3 5 b7
Semitones
0 4 7 10
Chord symbols
A7
Tuning
C G C G C E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to E4
24-fret range
C2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to A Dominant 7 Arpeggio: string 5 G (b7), string 3 G (b7), and string 1 E (5). None of those open-string tones is the A root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5Gb7
String 3Gb7
String 1E5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 9
String 5Fret 2
String 4Fret 9
String 3Fret 2
String 2Fret 9
String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 1, 4, 7, and 9, with the A root at fret 9. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

Fret 1C#3
Fret 4E5
Fret 7Gb7
Fret 9A1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Dominant 7 Arpeggio on the low C string at frets 1, 4, 7, and 9, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets G on open string 5 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other arpeggio tones.
  3. Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 9, 2, 9, 2, 9, and 5, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Dominant 7 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning fretboard diagram
A Dominant 7 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C G C G C E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Dominant 7 Arpeggio and open c tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings