Explore scales · Bass
B blues diminished scale on bass guitar
B blues diminished runs B, C, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, A. Start in Box 1 to keep the root on string 3, fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B blues diminished scale on bass?
B blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 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) | 1, 2, 4 | F, F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, F, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ 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 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. 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, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, D♯, F |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B blues diminished adds a ♭2 to the B hungarian major scale, which supplies the other seven notes. The scale contains a tritone between B and F, but no leading tone. Compare it with B hungarian major.
When to use it
B blues diminished fits B major and B minor chords for blues lines. It also works over C diminished and C diminished 7th in passing. Use it in B blues progressions when you need a darker, chromatic edge.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: it keeps the B root on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 4. That position covers frets 1–4 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B blues diminished?
B blues diminished contains B, C, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, and A. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. It has eight notes total.
What chords does B blues diminished fit?
B blues diminished fits B major and B minor chords. It also works over C diminished and C diminished 7th chords. Use it for blues lines with a chromatic twist.
What is the difference between B blues diminished and B hungarian major?
B blues diminished adds a ♭2 to B hungarian major. B hungarian major has seven notes: B, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, A. The blues diminished version includes C as the extra note.
Does B blues diminished contain a tritone?
B blues diminished contains a tritone between B and F. That interval is a diminished fifth, six semitones above the root. It does not contain a leading tone.