Explore scales · Bass
F♯ major scale on bass guitar
F♯ major contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. Box 1 spans frets 2–4 with roots on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F♯ major scale on bass?
F♯ major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 8 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) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ major in box 2 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, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. 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, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–11
F♯ major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 11, 8 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 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ major in box 5 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, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It is the Ionian mode of F♯. Compare its seven notes to the five-note F♯ major pentatonic, which omits B and E♯.
When to use it
F♯ major fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in F♯, such as F♯–B–C♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root F♯ on string 4, fret 2 and keeps the scale within frets 2–4.
Common questions
What notes are in the F♯ major scale?
F♯ major contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on F♯. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit the F♯ major scale?
F♯ major fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of F♯ major. Use it for progressions like F♯–B–C♯.
What is the difference between F♯ major and F♯ major pentatonic?
F♯ major has seven notes; F♯ major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits B and E♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.