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F♯ natural minor scale on bass guitar
F♯ natural minor 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♯ natural minor scale on bass?
F♯ natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. 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) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 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, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F♯ natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 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) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ natural minor derives from F♯ minor pentatonic by adding G♯ and D. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with F♯ minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
F♯ natural minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over progressions like F♯m–D–A–E. The scale suits rock, metal, and classical bass lines. Try it with F♯ minor or F♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 2, keeping the hand near the nut.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ natural minor?
F♯ natural minor contains F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, and E. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from F♯ to F♯ to hear the natural minor sound. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ natural minor?
F♯ natural minor works over F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of F♯ minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like D major and E major.
How does F♯ natural minor differ from F♯ minor pentatonic?
F♯ natural minor adds two notes to F♯ minor pentatonic: G♯ and D. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.