Explore scales · Bass
F♯ chromatic scale on bass guitar
F♯ chromatic contains F♯, F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯, and E♯. Box 2 keeps the root on string 2, fret 4 for a mid-neck run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the F♯ chromatic scale on bass?
F♯ chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 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, 3 | D♯♯, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | G♯♯, A♯, B, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 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, 3, 4, 5 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | D♯♯, E♯, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | G♯♯, A♯, B, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯♯ 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, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 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, 8, 9 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
F♯ chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 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, 10, 11 | B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | A♯, B, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
F♯ chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C♯♯ on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | E♯, F♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ chromatic is the complete twelve-note collection, each note a half step from the next. It contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with F♯ bebop dominant, which omits four chromatic notes.
When to use it
F♯ chromatic works over any chord rooted on its twelve notes, including F♯ major and F♯ minor. Use it for chromatic passing tones in F♯ major or F♯ minor keys. F♯ chromatic suits jazz walking lines and metal runs.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. The root sits on string 2, fret 4, and the pattern covers frets 2–5 without position shifts.
Common questions
Which notes are in F♯ chromatic?
F♯ chromatic includes F♯, F♯♯, G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, C♯♯, D♯, D♯♯, and E♯. It is every half step within one octave. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords does F♯ chromatic fit?
F♯ chromatic fits any chord whose root is one of its notes, such as F♯ major or F♯ minor. Use it as a passing-tone source over static harmony. It is not a chord-scale for diatonic progressions.
How do I practise F♯ chromatic on bass?
Start on F♯ at string 2, fret 4, and play every fret up to F♯ at string 4, fret 2. Use one finger per fret and descend without pausing. Set a metronome to 60 bpm and play one note per click.