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B aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
B aeolian dominant uses B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B aeolian dominant scale on bass?
B aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B aeolian dominant 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 A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 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 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B aeolian dominant 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 E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B aeolian dominant 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 G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B aeolian dominant in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 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 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of B natural minor to D♯ and you get B aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with B natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use B aeolian dominant over B major or B 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over B major or B 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 3, fret 2, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in B aeolian dominant?
The notes are B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, and A. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth.
What chords fit B aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is B major or B 5th. Other chords include C♯ minor 7th flat 5th, D♯ 7th flat 5th, E minor, F♯ minor, G augmented, and A major. Use the scale over these chords in B.
How does B aeolian dominant differ from B natural minor?
B aeolian dominant has a major third (D♯) instead of the minor third (D) in B natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.