Explore scales · Bass
F♯ aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
F♯ aeolian dominant uses F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, E. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 2 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ aeolian dominant scale on bass?
F♯ aeolian dominant 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, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. 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) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ aeolian dominant 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, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 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) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of F♯ natural minor to A♯ and you get F♯ aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with F♯ natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use F♯ aeolian dominant over F♯ major or F♯ 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over F♯ major or F♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 4, fret 2, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in F♯ aeolian dominant?
The notes are F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, and E. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit F♯ aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is F♯ major or F♯ 5th. Other chords include G♯ minor 7th flat 5th, A♯ 7th flat 5th, B minor, C♯ minor, D augmented, and E major. Use the scale over these chords in F♯.
How does F♯ aeolian dominant differ from F♯ natural minor?
F♯ aeolian dominant has a major third (A♯) instead of the minor third (A) in F♯ natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.