Explore scales · Bass
D chromatic scale on bass guitar
D chromatic contains D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B, B♯, and C♯. Box 4 places the root on string 4, fret 10 for a high-position run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the D chromatic scale on bass?
D chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ 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, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | G, G♯, A, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ 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, 4, 5 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | A, A♯, B, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 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, 6, 7 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
D chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
D chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ 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, 9, 10, 11 | B♯, C♯, D, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | E♯, F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
D chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 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, 11, 12, 13 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | G, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | B♯, C♯, D, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | E♯, F♯, G, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
D chromatic is the complete twelve-note collection, each note a half step from the next. It contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with D bebop dominant, which omits four chromatic notes.
When to use it
D chromatic works over any chord rooted on its twelve notes, including D major and D minor. Use it for chromatic passing tones in D major or D minor keys. D chromatic suits jazz walking lines and metal runs.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 4 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 10, and the pattern covers frets 6–9 without position shifts.
Common questions
Which notes are in D chromatic?
D chromatic includes D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B, B♯, and C♯. It is every half step within one octave. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.
What chords does D chromatic fit?
D chromatic fits any chord whose root is one of its notes, such as D major or D minor. Use it as a passing-tone source over static harmony. It is not a chord-scale for diatonic progressions.
How do I practise D chromatic on bass?
Start on D at string 4, fret 10, and play every fret up to D at string 1, fret 7. Use one finger per fret and descend without pausing. Set a metronome to 60 bpm and play one note per click.