Explore scales · Bass
D major scale on bass guitar
D major contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 3, fret 5 and string 1, fret 7.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D major scale on bass?
D major 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, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D major 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 B on the G string at fret 4. 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) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
D major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 8 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, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D major 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, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
D major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 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 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
D 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 D. Compare its seven notes to the five-note D major pentatonic, which omits G and C♯.
When to use it
D major fits D major and D 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in D, such as D–G–A. The open D string resonates naturally, making this key a favourite for bassists.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root D on string 3, fret 5 and keeps the scale within frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in the D major scale?
D major contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on D.
Which chords fit the D major scale?
D major fits D major and D 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of D major. Use it for progressions like D–G–A.
What is the difference between D major and D major pentatonic?
D major has seven notes; D major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits G and C♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.