Explore scales · Bass
F blues major scale on bass guitar
F blues major contains F, G, A♭, A, C, and D. Box 1 spans frets 3–6 with roots on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the F blues major scale on bass?
F blues major 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, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5 | C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F blues major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F blues major 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 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, 13 | D, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, A♭, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F blues major adds a minor 3rd to F major pentatonic. The scale contains a tritone between A♭ and D, but no leading tone. Its step pattern is W, H, H, 1½, W, 1½. Compare it with F major pentatonic.
When to use it
F blues major fits F major and F minor chords. Use it over 12-bar blues in F and rock progressions. Try it over F major and F minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 4, fret 1 keeps the scale low and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F blues major?
F blues major contains F, G, A♭, A, C, and D. The scale includes both minor and major 3rds. It has a tritone between A♭ and D.
Which chords does F blues major fit?
F blues major fits F major and F minor chords. It also works over G 5th and C 5th. Use it for blues and rock bass lines.
How is F blues major different from F major pentatonic?
F blues major adds an A♭ to F major pentatonic. This creates a minor 3rd alongside the major 3rd. The added note gives a bluesy colour.