Explore scales · Bass
G blues diminished scale on bass guitar
G blues diminished runs G, A♭, B♭, B, D♭, D, E, F. Start in Box 1 to keep the root on string 4, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the G blues diminished scale on bass?
G blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. 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, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5 | D♭, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, B, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
G blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, B, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | D♭, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
G blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 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) | 9, 10, 12 | D♭, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, D♭, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
Why it sounds like that
G blues diminished adds a ♭2 to the G hungarian major scale, which supplies the other seven notes. The scale contains a tritone between G and D♭, but no leading tone. Compare it with G hungarian major.
When to use it
G blues diminished fits G major and G minor chords for blues lines. It also works over A♭ diminished and A♭ diminished 7th in passing. Use it in G blues progressions when you need a darker, chromatic edge.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: it keeps the G root on string 4, fret 3 and string 2, fret 5. That position covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in G blues diminished?
G blues diminished contains G, A♭, B♭, B, D♭, D, E, and F. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. It has eight notes total.
What chords does G blues diminished fit?
G blues diminished fits G major and G minor chords. It also works over A♭ diminished and A♭ diminished 7th chords. Use it for blues lines with a chromatic twist.
What is the difference between G blues diminished and G hungarian major?
G blues diminished adds a ♭2 to G hungarian major. G hungarian major has seven notes: G, B♭, B, D♭, D, E, F. The blues diminished version includes A♭ as the extra note.
Does G blues diminished contain a tritone?
G blues diminished contains a tritone between G and D♭. That interval is a diminished fifth, six semitones above the root. It does not contain a leading tone.