Explore scales · Bass
B whole scale on bass guitar
B whole scale contains B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, and G♯♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a low-position start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the B whole scale on bass?
B whole in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ 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, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | G♯♯, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B whole in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯♯ on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. 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 | G♯♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B whole in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ 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, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | G♯♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B whole in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯♯ 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, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B whole in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯♯ on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 14 | G♯♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 14 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B whole scale is built by stacking whole steps from B, giving the intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. The ♯6 is a minor 7th above the root, and the ♯4 creates a tritone. Compare it with B lydian augmented, which lowers the ♯6 to a major 6th and adds a major 7th.
When to use it
B whole scale fits B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in jazz and fusion when you want an altered, symmetrical colour. It also works over C♯ 7th flat 5 and D♯ 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 2, and the pattern stays within frets 1–4. This box builds left-hand familiarity with the whole-step stretch.
Common questions
What notes are in the B whole scale?
B whole scale contains B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, and G♯♯. The intervals are root, major 2nd, major 3rd, ♯4, ♯5, and minor 7th. It has six notes, all separated by whole steps.
Which chords does B whole scale fit?
B whole scale fits B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5 chords. It also works over C♯ 7th flat 5 and D♯ 7th sharp 5. Use it when the chord contains an altered fifth.
How does B whole scale differ from B lydian augmented?
B whole scale has a minor 7th, while B lydian augmented has a major 7th. B lydian augmented also includes a major 6th instead of the ♯6. Both scales share the ♯4 and ♯5.