Explore scales · Bass
B♭ acoustic scale on bass guitar
B♭ acoustic contains B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A♭. Box 2 keeps the root on string 4, fret 6 for a mid-neck run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ acoustic scale on bass?
B♭ acoustic 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 A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 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 E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 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 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ acoustic is the fourth mode of F melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to B♭ mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
B♭ acoustic fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords, and works over B♭7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in B♭.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 6, covering frets 3–6. It places the ♯4 on string 3 for easy hammer-ons.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ acoustic?
B♭ acoustic contains B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A♭. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ acoustic fit?
B♭ acoustic fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. It also works over B♭7 in dominant contexts.
Is B♭ acoustic the same as B♭ mixolydian?
No. B♭ acoustic has a ♯4 (E), while B♭ mixolydian has a perfect 4th (E♭). The other six notes are identical.