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F♯ bebop dominant scale on bass guitar
F♯ bebop dominant runs F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, D♯♯, E♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 2 for low-position lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the F♯ bebop dominant scale on bass?
F♯ bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♯♯ 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, 1, 2 | D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–4
F♯ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 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 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 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, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 13 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to D♯♯ 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) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ bebop 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F♯ bebop dominant in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 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, 13, 14 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ bebop dominant adds a passing D♯♯ between the 6th and 7th of F♯ major. The scale keeps the major 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 6th, then inserts the minor 7th before the leading tone. This chromatic connection smooths descending lines over dominant chords. Compare with F♯ major to hear the added D♯♯.
When to use it
Use F♯ bebop dominant over F♯7 chords in bebop and fusion. It fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th when the 7th is added. The passing D♯♯ works over C♯7 in the key of F♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits under the first finger on string 4, fret 2, covering frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 by shifting to the fourth fret.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ bebop dominant?
F♯ bebop dominant contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, D♯♯, and E♯. The added D♯♯ is the chromatic passing tone between the 6th and 7th. This eight-note scale is built for dominant 7th chords. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ bebop dominant?
F♯ bebop dominant fits F♯7 and F♯9 chords. It also works over F♯ major and F♯ 5th when the minor 7th is implied. The passing D♯♯ can target the 3rd of C♯7.
How does F♯ bebop dominant differ from F♯ major?
F♯ bebop dominant adds D♯♯ between D♯ and E♯, creating an eight-note scale. F♯ major has seven notes without that chromatic passing tone. The added note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.