Explore scales · Bass
F natural minor scale on bass guitar
F natural minor uses F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low, deep sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F natural minor scale on bass?
F natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 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, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 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, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 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) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 11–13
F natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F natural minor derives from F minor pentatonic by adding G and D♭. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with F minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
F natural minor fits F minor and F 5th chords. Use it over progressions like Fm–D♭–A♭–E♭. The scale suits rock, metal, and classical bass lines. Try it with F minor or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 1, providing a solid low foundation.
Common questions
What notes are in F natural minor?
F natural minor contains F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from F to F to hear the natural minor sound.
Which chords fit F natural minor?
F natural minor works over F minor and F 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of F minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like D♭ major and E♭ major.
How does F natural minor differ from F minor pentatonic?
F natural minor adds two notes to F minor pentatonic: G and D♭. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.