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