Explore scales · Bass
D aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
D aeolian dominant uses D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the D aeolian dominant scale on bass?
D 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 D string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D aeolian dominant 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, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D aeolian dominant 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 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) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
D aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D aeolian dominant 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 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) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of D natural minor to F♯ and you get D aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with D natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use D aeolian dominant over D major or D 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over D major or D 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 3, fret 5, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in D aeolian dominant?
The notes are D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, and C. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth.
What chords fit D aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is D major or D 5th. Other chords include E minor 7th flat 5th, F♯ 7th flat 5th, G minor, A minor, B♭ augmented, and C major. Use the scale over these chords in D.
How does D aeolian dominant differ from D natural minor?
D aeolian dominant has a major third (F♯) instead of the minor third (F) in D natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.