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