Explore scales · Bass
F chromatic scale on bass guitar
F chromatic contains F, F♯, G, G♯, A, B♭, B, C, C♯, D, D♯, and E. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low-position run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the F chromatic scale on bass?
F chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 16 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, 2, 3, 4 | F, F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | B♭, B, C, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | D♯, E, F, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | G♯, A, B♭, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ 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, 4, 5, 6 | G, G♯, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | C, C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | F, F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | B♭, B, C, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ 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, 7, 8 | A, B♭, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, D♯, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | G, G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | C, C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | A, B♭, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, D♯, E, F |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 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 G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | E, F, F♯, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ 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, 12, 13, 14 | D♯, E, F, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | G♯, A, B♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
F chromatic is the complete twelve-note collection, each note a half step from the next. It contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with F bebop dominant, which omits four chromatic notes.
When to use it
F chromatic works over any chord rooted on its twelve notes, including F major and F minor. Use it for chromatic passing tones in F major or F minor keys. F chromatic suits jazz walking lines and metal runs.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 1–4 without position shifts.
Common questions
Which notes are in F chromatic?
F chromatic includes F, F♯, G, G♯, A, B♭, B, C, C♯, D, D♯, and E. It is every half step within one octave. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.
What chords does F chromatic fit?
F chromatic fits any chord whose root is one of its notes, such as F major or F minor. Use it as a passing-tone source over static harmony. It is not a chord-scale for diatonic progressions.
How do I practise F chromatic on bass?
Start on F at string 4, fret 1, and play every fret up to F at string 2, fret 3. Use one finger per fret and descend without pausing. Set a metronome to 60 bpm and play one note per click.