Explore scales · Bass
A♭ chromatic scale on bass guitar
A♭ chromatic runs A♭, A, B♭, B, C, D♭, D, E♭, E, F, F♯, G. Box 1 starts on the fourth string at the fourth fret.
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 B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, B♭, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
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 C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | F♯, G, A♭, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, C, D♭, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | A, B♭, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A♭ chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | A♭, A, B♭, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | D♭, D, E♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | F♯, G, A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, C, D♭, D |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
A♭ chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | B♭, B, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | E♭, E, F, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♭, A, B♭, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♭, D, E♭, E |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
A♭ chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | C, D♭, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | F, F♯, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | B♭, B, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | E♭, E, F, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
A♭ chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | C, D♭, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | F, F♯, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
The A♭ chromatic scale contains all twelve pitches, each a half step apart. It extends the A♭ bebop dominant scale, which omits A, B, D, E, and F♯. With every note available, the scale has no tonal center. See A♭ bebop dominant for the parent scale.
When to use it
A♭ chromatic works for chromatic approaches in A♭ major or A♭ minor. It fits jazz walking lines over A♭ major or A♭ minor changes. Use it in blues for chromatic approaches to the fifth.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root is on string 4, fret 4, and the shape spans frets 0–3. It keeps the hand low and prepares the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ chromatic?
The A♭ chromatic scale includes A♭, A, B♭, B, C, D♭, D, E♭, E, F, F♯, and G. That is all twelve pitches. Each note is a half step from the next. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Does A♭ chromatic fit over an A♭ major chord?
Yes, but use it as passing motion. The chord tones A♭, C, and E♭ anchor the sound. Chromatic notes between them create tension that resolves quickly.
What is the difference between A♭ chromatic and A♭ bebop dominant?
A♭ bebop dominant has eight notes and a clear dominant function. A♭ chromatic has all twelve notes and no key center. The bebop scale is a subset of the chromatic scale.