Explore scales · Bass
G chromatic scale on bass guitar
G chromatic contains G, G♯, A, A♯, B, C, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, and F♯. Box 3 places the root on string 3, fret 10 for an upper-position run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯1, 2, ♯2, 3, 4, ♯4, 5, ♯5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the G chromatic scale on bass?
G chromatic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 4 strings, from E 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 3 and the G string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | A, A♯, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | G, G♯, A, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G chromatic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ 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, 5, 6 | G, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | C, C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | E♯, F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | A♯, B, C, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G chromatic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ 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, 6, 7, 8 | A, A♯, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | G, G♯, A, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | C, C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G chromatic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ 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, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | A, A♯, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, D♯, E, E♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
G chromatic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
G chromatic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | F♯, G, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
G 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 G bebop dominant, which omits four chromatic notes.
When to use it
G chromatic works over any chord rooted on its twelve notes, including G major and G minor. Use it for chromatic passing tones in G major or G minor keys. G chromatic suits jazz walking lines and metal runs.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 3 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 10, and the pattern covers frets 5–8 without position shifts.
Common questions
Which notes are in G chromatic?
G chromatic includes G, G♯, A, A♯, B, C, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, and F♯. It is every half step within one octave. The scale contains all twelve pitch classes.
What chords does G chromatic fit?
G chromatic fits any chord whose root is one of its notes, such as G major or G minor. Use it as a passing-tone source over static harmony. It is not a chord-scale for diatonic progressions.
How do I practise G chromatic on bass?
Start on G at string 3, fret 10, and play every fret up to G at string 1, fret 12. Use one finger per fret and descend without pausing. Set a metronome to 60 bpm and play one note per click.