Explore scales · Bass
D acoustic scale on bass guitar
D acoustic contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. Box 5 keeps the root on string 4, fret 10 for a high-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the D acoustic scale on bass?
D acoustic 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 D string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D acoustic 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 C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D acoustic 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 10 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
D acoustic is the fourth mode of A melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to D mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
D acoustic fits D major and D 5th chords, and works over D7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in D.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 5 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 10, covering frets 10–13. It places the ♯4 on string 2 for easy slides.
Common questions
What notes are in D acoustic?
D acoustic contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7.
Which chords does D acoustic fit?
D acoustic fits D major and D 5th chords. It also works over D7 in dominant contexts.
Is D acoustic the same as D mixolydian?
No. D acoustic has a ♯4 (G♯), while D mixolydian has a perfect 4th (G). The other six notes are identical.