Explore scales · Bass
F acoustic scale on bass guitar
F acoustic contains F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭. Box 3 keeps the root on string 3, fret 8 for a mid-neck run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F acoustic scale on bass?
F acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 1 and the D string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F acoustic 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 D string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F acoustic 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 E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F acoustic 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 13 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
F acoustic is the fourth mode of C melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to F mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
F acoustic fits F major and F 5th chords, and works over F7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in F.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 3 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 8, covering frets 5–8. It places the ♯4 on string 2 for easy bends.
Common questions
What notes are in F acoustic?
F acoustic contains F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7.
Which chords does F acoustic fit?
F acoustic fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over F7 in dominant contexts.
Is F acoustic the same as F mixolydian?
No. F acoustic has a ♯4 (B), while F mixolydian has a perfect 4th (B♭). The other six notes are identical.