Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

C Major 9 Arpeggio in Open G Tuning

C Major 9 Arpeggio in Open G Tuning shows the same c major 9 arpeggio chord tones across 6 strings tuned D G D G B D. 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
D G D G B D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to C Major 9 Arpeggio: string 6 D (9), string 5 G (5), string 4 D (9), string 3 G (5), string 2 B (7), and string 1 D (9). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6D9
String 5G5
String 4D9
String 3G5
String 2B7
String 1D9

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 5, 9, and 10, with the C root at fret 10. On the highest D string, the first C is at fret 10.

OpenD9
Fret 2E3
Fret 5G5
Fret 9B7
Fret 10C1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

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

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings