Explore scales · Bass
B major scale on bass guitar
B major contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B major scale on bass?
B major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. 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 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–4
B major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 8 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, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. 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, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–9
B major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 8 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 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 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 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, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B major 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 G♯ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B 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 B. Compare its seven notes to the five-note B major pentatonic, which omits E and A♯.
When to use it
B major fits B major and B 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in B, such as B–E–F♯. The sharpened fourth E gives this key a bright, cutting edge in bass lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root B on string 3, fret 2 and keeps the scale within frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in the B major scale?
B major contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on B.
Which chords fit the B major scale?
B major fits B major and B 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of B major. Use it for progressions like B–E–F♯.
What is the difference between B major and B major pentatonic?
B major has seven notes; B major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits E and A♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.