Explore scales · Bass
C aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
C aeolian dominant uses C, D, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C aeolian dominant scale on bass?
C aeolian dominant 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 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
C aeolian dominant 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
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
C aeolian dominant 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 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
C aeolian dominant 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 E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
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
C 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 D string at fret 10.
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
Raise the third of C natural minor to E and you get C aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with C natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use C aeolian dominant over C major or C 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over C major or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 3, fret 3, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in C aeolian dominant?
The notes are C, D, E, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth.
What chords fit C aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is C major or C 5th. Other chords include D minor 7th flat 5th, E 7th flat 5th, F minor, G minor, A♭ augmented, and B♭ major. Use the scale over these chords in C.
How does C aeolian dominant differ from C natural minor?
C aeolian dominant has a major third (E) instead of the minor third (E♭) in C natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.