Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

C Major 7 Arpeggio in Open A Tuning

C Major 7 Arpeggio in Open A Tuning shows the same c major 7 arpeggio chord tones across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. The tuning changes where the same chord tones sit across the fretboard.

Chord tones
C, E, G, B
Formula
1 3 5 7
Semitones
0 4 7 11
Chord symbols
Cmaj7, CM7
Tuning
E A E A C# 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 C Major 7 Arpeggio: string 6 E (3), string 4 E (3), and string 1 E (3). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6E3
String 4E3
String 1E3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8
String 5Fret 3
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 3
String 2Fret 11
String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

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

OpenE3
Fret 3G5
Fret 7B7
Fret 8C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Major 7 Arpeggio on the low E string at frets 0, 3, 7, and 8, 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 C root and two other arpeggio tones.
  3. Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 3, 8, 3, 11, and 8, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C Major 7 Arpeggio in Open A Tuning fretboard diagram
C Major 7 Arpeggio in Open A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E A E A C# E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C Major 7 Arpeggio and open a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings