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 4 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 1 to fret 4, 11 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 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 2 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 A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 3 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 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 4 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 E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | 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 4, and the range covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.