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D natural minor scale on bass guitar
D natural minor uses D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 for a mid-neck position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the D natural minor scale on bass?
D natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 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, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 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) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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, 8 | D, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 8–10
D natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. 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) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 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, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
D natural minor derives from D minor pentatonic by adding E and B♭. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with D minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
D natural minor fits D minor and D 5th chords. Use it over progressions like Dm–B♭–F–C. The scale suits rock, folk, and classical bass lines. Try it with D minor or D 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 5, allowing easy movement to higher frets.
Common questions
What notes are in D natural minor?
D natural minor contains D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from D to D to hear the natural minor sound.
Which chords fit D natural minor?
D natural minor works over D minor and D 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of D minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like B♭ major and C major.
How does D natural minor differ from D minor pentatonic?
D natural minor adds two notes to D minor pentatonic: E and B♭. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.