Explore scales · Bass
A chromatic scale on bass guitar
A chromatic contains A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, and G♯. Box 1 maps every fret from the fifth-position A root.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the A chromatic scale on bass?
A chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | F♯♯, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | B♯, C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯♯ on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
A chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A chromatic is the full twelve-note set, built by adding every half step between A and the next A. It contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with A bebop dominant, which keeps only eight of these notes.
When to use it
A chromatic works over any chord rooted on its twelve notes, including A major and A minor. Use it for chromatic passing tones in A major or A minor keys. A chromatic suits jazz walking lines and metal runs.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 5, and the pattern covers frets 0–3 without position shifts.
Common questions
Which notes are in A chromatic?
A chromatic includes A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F♯♯, and G♯. It is every half step within one octave. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.
What chords does A chromatic fit?
A chromatic fits any chord whose root is one of its notes, such as A major or A minor. Use it as a passing-tone source over static harmony. It is not a chord-scale for diatonic progressions.
How do I practise A chromatic on bass?
Start on A at string 4, fret 5, and play every fret up to the next A. Use one finger per fret and descend without pausing. Set a metronome to 60 bpm and play one note per click.