Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

C Major 9 Arpeggio in Open E Tuning

C Major 9 Arpeggio in Open E Tuning shows the same c major 9 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
C, E, G, B, D
Formula
1 3 5 7 9
Semitones
0 4 7 11 14
Chord symbols
Cmaj9, CM9
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

5 of the 6 open strings belong to C Major 9 Arpeggio: string 6 E (3), string 5 B (7), string 4 E (3), string 2 B (7), 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 5B7
String 4E3
String 2B7
String 1E3

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 0, 3, 7, 8, and 10, 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
Fret 10D9

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Major 9 Arpeggio on the low E string at frets 0, 3, 7, 8, and 10, 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, 1, 8, 4, 1, and 8, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

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

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings