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B natural minor scale on bass guitar
B natural minor uses B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B natural minor scale on bass?
B natural minor 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) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 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, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
B natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 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, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 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, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
B natural minor derives from B minor pentatonic by adding C♯ and G. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with B minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
B natural minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. Use it over progressions like Bm–G–D–A. The scale suits rock, blues, and classical bass lines. Try it with B minor or B 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 2, allowing quick shifts to higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in B natural minor?
B natural minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, and A. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from B to B to hear the natural minor sound.
Which chords fit B natural minor?
B natural minor works over B minor and B 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of B minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like G major and A major.
How does B natural minor differ from B minor pentatonic?
B natural minor adds two notes to B minor pentatonic: C♯ and G. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.