Explore scales · Bass
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 1 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 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 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) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B♭ aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 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 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. 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) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. 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, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ aeolian dominant 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, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | 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 1, and the range covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.