Explore scales · Bass
E blues diminished scale on bass guitar
E blues diminished runs E, F, G, G♯, B♭, B, C♯, D. Practise Box 3 to keep the root on string 3, fret 7.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the E blues diminished scale on bass?
E blues diminished 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 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, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 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) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, B♭, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
Why it sounds like that
E blues diminished adds a ♭2 to the E hungarian major scale, which supplies the other seven notes. The scale contains a tritone between E and B♭, but no leading tone. Compare it with E hungarian major.
When to use it
E blues diminished fits E major and E minor chords for blues lines. It also works over F diminished and F diminished 7th in passing. Use it in E blues progressions when you need a darker, chromatic edge.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 3 first: it keeps the E root on string 3, fret 7 and string 1, fret 9. That position covers frets 6–9 and sets up Box 4.
Common questions
What notes are in E blues diminished?
E blues diminished contains E, F, G, G♯, B♭, B, C♯, and D. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. It has eight notes total.
What chords does E blues diminished fit?
E blues diminished fits E major and E minor chords. It also works over F diminished and F diminished 7th chords. Use it for blues lines with a chromatic twist.
What is the difference between E blues diminished and E hungarian major?
E blues diminished adds a ♭2 to E hungarian major. E hungarian major has seven notes: E, G, G♯, B♭, B, C♯, D. The blues diminished version includes F as the extra note.
Does E blues diminished contain a tritone?
E blues diminished contains a tritone between E and B♭. That interval is a diminished fifth, six semitones above the root. It does not contain a leading tone.