Explore scales · Bass
F major scale on bass guitar
F major contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. Box 1 spans frets 1–3 with roots on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F major scale on bass?
F major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 3, 8 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 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F 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, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F major 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 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, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 8–10
F major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 10, 8 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, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F 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 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, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
F major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It is the Ionian mode of F. Compare its seven notes to the five-note F major pentatonic, which omits B♭ and E.
When to use it
F major fits F major and F 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in F, such as F–B♭–C. The low F on string 4, fret 1 gives this key a solid, grounded feel.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root F on string 4, fret 1 and keeps the scale within frets 1–3.
Common questions
What notes are in the F major scale?
F major contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on F.
Which chords fit the F major scale?
F major fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of F major. Use it for progressions like F–B♭–C.
What is the difference between F major and F major pentatonic?
F major has seven notes; F major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits B♭ and E. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.