Explore scales · Bass
F blues diminished scale on bass guitar
F blues diminished runs F, G♭, A♭, A, C♭, C, D, E♭. Start in Box 1 to keep the root on string 4, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F blues diminished scale on bass?
F blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ 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, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | C♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, A, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, A, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | G♭, A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | C♭, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♭ 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 | C♭, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, C♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
F blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 11, 12 | A♭, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F blues diminished adds a ♭2 to the F hungarian major scale, which supplies the other seven notes. The scale contains a tritone between F and C♭, but no leading tone. Compare it with F hungarian major.
When to use it
F blues diminished fits F major and F minor chords for blues lines. It also works over F♯ diminished and F♯ diminished 7th in passing. Use it in F blues progressions when you need a darker, chromatic edge.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: it keeps the F root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 3. That position covers frets 1–4 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F blues diminished?
F blues diminished contains F, G♭, A♭, A, C♭, C, D, and E♭. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. It has eight notes total.
What chords does F blues diminished fit?
F blues diminished fits F major and F 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 F blues diminished and F hungarian major?
F blues diminished adds a ♭2 to F hungarian major. F hungarian major has seven notes: F, A♭, A, C♭, C, D, E♭. The blues diminished version includes G♭ as the extra note.
Does F blues diminished contain a tritone?
F blues diminished contains a tritone between F and C♭. That interval is a diminished fifth, six semitones above the root. It does not contain a leading tone.