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G aeolian dominant scale on bass guitar
G aeolian dominant uses G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 for a low start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G aeolian dominant scale on bass?
G aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 3 and the D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of G natural minor to B and you get G aeolian dominant. The pattern is W, W, H, W, H, W, W. Compare it with G natural minor to hear the major third against the minor sixth.
When to use it
Use G aeolian dominant over G major or G 5th chords when the progression has a ♭6 colour. It suits klezmer, fusion, and metal riffs. Try it over G major or G 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits under your first finger on string 4, fret 3, and the range covers frets 1–4 for easy access.
Common questions
Which notes are in G aeolian dominant?
The notes are G, A, B, C, D, E♭, and F. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth.
What chords fit G aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is G major or G 5th. Other chords include A minor 7th flat 5th, B 7th flat 5th, C minor, D minor, E♭ augmented, and F major. Use the scale over these chords in G.
How does G aeolian dominant differ from G natural minor?
G aeolian dominant has a major third (B) instead of the minor third (B♭) in G natural minor. The rest of the notes are the same. This change creates a dominant seventh sound on the tonic.