Tuning-specific arpeggio diagram

C# Minor Arpeggio in Drop D Tuning

C# Minor Arpeggio in Drop D Tuning shows the same c# minor arpeggio chord tones across 6 strings tuned D A D G B E. The tuning changes where the same chord tones sit across the fretboard.

Chord tones
C#, E, G#
Formula
1 b3 5
Semitones
0 3 7
Chord symbols
C#m, C#min
Tuning
D A D G B E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to E4
24-fret range
D2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to C# Minor Arpeggio: string 1 E (b3). None of those open-string tones is the C# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 1Eb3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 6
String 2Fret 2
String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave arpeggio pattern falls at frets 2, 6, and 11, with the C# root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first C# is at fret 9.

Fret 2Eb3
Fret 6G#5
Fret 11C#1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C# Minor Arpeggio on the low D string at frets 2, 6, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 1 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 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest arpeggio tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C# Minor Arpeggio in Drop D Tuning fretboard diagram
C# Minor Arpeggio in Drop D Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C# Minor Arpeggio and drop d tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same arpeggio in other tunings