Explore scales · Bass
G major scale on bass guitar
G major contains G, A, B, C, D, E, and F♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 4, fret 3 and string 2, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the G major scale on bass?
G major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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 3 and the G string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
G major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 8 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 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G major 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 E on the G string at fret 9. 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) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
G major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 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, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
G 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 G. Compare its seven notes to the five-note G major pentatonic, which omits C and F♯.
When to use it
G major fits G major and G 5th chords. Use it over I–IV–V progressions in G, such as G–C–D. The open G string provides a deep, resonant root for this key.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root G on string 4, fret 3 and keeps the scale within frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in the G major scale?
G major contains G, A, B, C, D, E, and F♯. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. These notes form the Ionian mode on G.
Which chords fit the G major scale?
G major fits G major and G 5th chords. It also works over the diatonic chords of G major. Use it for progressions like G–C–D.
What is the difference between G major and G major pentatonic?
G major has seven notes; G major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits C and F♯. The full scale adds the fourth and seventh degrees.