Explore scales · Bass
F phrygian dominant scale on bass guitar
F phrygian dominant uses F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Box 1 places the root 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 phrygian dominant scale on bass?
F phrygian dominant 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, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
F phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 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) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
F phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. 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, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
F phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ 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, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 14 | G♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of F phrygian from A♭ to A to form this scale. The steps are H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W. Compare with F phrygian to hear the major third.
When to use it
Use it over F major or F 5th for a Spanish or Middle Eastern feel. The ♭2 and ♭6 suit dominant lines. Try it on F major or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger at fret 1 on string 4 and reaches the high F at fret 3 on string 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in F phrygian dominant?
The notes are F, G♭, A, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The scale has a major third and a minor second. It is the fifth mode of B♭ harmonic minor.
What chords fit F phrygian dominant?
F major and F 5th are the primary chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension over these chords. Use the scale for dominant function in F minor progressions.
How does F phrygian dominant differ from F phrygian?
F phrygian dominant raises the third from A♭ to A. This creates a major third instead of a minor third. The rest of the notes stay the same.