Explore scales · Bass
F aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
F aeolian dominant uses F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F aeolian dominant scale on bass?
F aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. 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) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F aeolian dominant 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 D♭ on the G string at fret 6. 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, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F aeolian dominant 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, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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 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) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of F natural minor to A and you get F aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with F natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use F aeolian dominant over F major or F 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over F major or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 4, fret 1, and the range covers frets 1–4 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in F aeolian dominant?
The notes are F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth.
What chords fit F aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is F major or F 5th. Other chords include G minor 7th flat 5th, A 7th flat 5th, B♭ minor, C minor, D♭ augmented, and E♭ major. Use the scale over these chords in F.
How does F aeolian dominant differ from F natural minor?
F aeolian dominant has a major third (A) instead of the minor third (A♭) in F natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.