Explore scales · Bass
F♯ acoustic scale on bass guitar
F♯ acoustic contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E. Box 4 keeps the root on string 3, fret 9 for an upper-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ acoustic scale on bass?
F♯ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
F♯ acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F♯ acoustic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 14 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ acoustic is the fourth mode of C♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The ♯4 creates a tritone against the root, and the ♭7 removes the leading tone. Compare it to F♯ mixolydian, which lowers the ♯4 to a perfect 4th.
When to use it
F♯ acoustic fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords, and works over F♯7 in jazz-blues. The ♯4 adds a Lydian colour over dominant chords; resolve it to the 5th for a smooth line. Use it for fusion or modal rock in F♯.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 4 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 9, covering frets 6–9. It places the ♯4 on string 2 for quick chromatic runs.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ acoustic?
F♯ acoustic contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ acoustic fit?
F♯ acoustic fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over F♯7 in dominant contexts.
Is F♯ acoustic the same as F♯ mixolydian?
No. F♯ acoustic has a ♯4 (B♯), while F♯ mixolydian has a perfect 4th (B). The other six notes are identical.