Explore scales · Bass
A♭ whole-half scale on bass guitar
A♭ whole-half contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, D, E, F, G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 4 for a compact diminished run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ whole-half scale on bass?
A♭ whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 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, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | D♭, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | C♭, D♭, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 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, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | D♭, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A♭ whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | D♭, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | C♭, D♭, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ whole-half is an eight-note diminished scale built by alternating whole and half steps. It differs from A♭ bebop melodic minor by raising the fifth to E and adding D. The scale contains a tritone between A♭ and D and a leading tone G. Compare it with A♭ bebop melodic minor.
When to use it
Use A♭ whole-half over A♭ diminished and A♭ diminished 7th chords. It also fits B♭ major, B♭ minor, B diminished, and C♯ major. The leading tone G pulls strongly to A♭, making it effective in dominant contexts. For chord options, see A♭ diminished and B♭ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger and spans frets 0–3, ideal for learning the alternating step pattern.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ whole-half?
A♭ whole-half contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, D, E, F, G. The scale alternates whole and half steps from the root. It is an eight-note diminished scale. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ whole-half fit?
A♭ whole-half fits A♭ diminished and A♭ diminished 7th chords. It also works over B♭ major, B♭ minor, B diminished, and C♯ major. The scale's leading tone G resolves to A♭.
How is A♭ whole-half different from A♭ bebop melodic minor?
A♭ whole-half raises the fifth to E and adds D compared to A♭ bebop melodic minor. The bebop scale has a natural fifth E♭ and no D. This gives the whole-half scale its diminished colour.