Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

Ab Major 9 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning

Ab Major 9 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning shows the same ab major 9 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
Ab, C, Eb, G, Bb
Formula
1 3 5 7 9
Semitones
0 4 7 11 14
Chord symbols
Abmaj9, AbM9
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

5 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Major 9 Arpeggio: string 6 C (3), string 5 G (7), string 4 C (3), string 3 G (7), and string 2 C (3). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6C3
String 5G7
String 4C3
String 3G7
String 2C3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8
String 5Fret 1
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 8
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 0, 3, 7, 8, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

OpenC3
Fret 3Eb5
Fret 7G7
Fret 8Ab1
Fret 10Bb9

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Major 9 Arpeggio on the low C string at frets 0, 3, 7, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets C on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other arpeggio tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 1, 8, and 4, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Major 9 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Major 9 Arpeggio in Open C Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C G C G C E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Major 9 Arpeggio and open c tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings