Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

A Major Arpeggio in Open E Tuning

A Major Arpeggio in Open E Tuning shows the same a major arpeggio chord tones across 6 strings tuned E B E G# B E. The tuning changes where the same chord tones sit across the fretboard.

Chord tones
A, C#, E
Formula
1 3 5
Semitones
0 4 7
Chord symbols
Amaj, AM
Tuning
E B E G# B E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to A Major Arpeggio: string 6 E (5), string 4 E (5), 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 6E5
String 4E5
String 1E5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5
String 5Fret 10
String 4Fret 5
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 10
String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 0, 5, and 9, with the A root at fret 5. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

OpenE5
Fret 5A1
Fret 9C#3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Major Arpeggio on the low E string at frets 0, 5, and 9, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 6 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 5, 10, 5, 1, 10, and 5, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Major Arpeggio in Open E Tuning fretboard diagram
A Major Arpeggio in Open E Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E B E G# B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Major Arpeggio and open e tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings