Explore scales · Bass
A major scale on bass guitar
A major contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–2 with roots on string 4, fret 5 and string 1, fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A major scale on bass?
A major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. 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, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. 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, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
A major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. 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, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It is the Ionian mode of A. Compare its seven notes to the five-note A major pentatonic, which omits D and G♯.
When to use it
A major fits A major and A 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in A, such as A–D–E. The leading tone G♯ pulls strongly to the tonic A, making it ideal for resolving bass lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root A on string 4, fret 5 and keeps the scale within frets 0–2.
Common questions
What notes are in the A major scale?
A major contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on A.
Which chords fit the A major scale?
A major fits A major and A 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of A major. Use it for progressions like A–D–E.
What is the difference between A major and A major pentatonic?
A major has seven notes; A major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits D and G♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.