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G natural minor scale on bass guitar
G natural minor uses G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 for a low, resonant sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G natural minor scale on bass?
G natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. 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) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 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, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
G natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 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) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 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, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
G natural minor derives from G minor pentatonic by adding A and E♭. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Those two added notes create the 9 and ♭6 intervals. Compare with G minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
G natural minor fits G minor and G 5th chords. Use it over progressions like Gm–E♭–B♭–F. The scale suits rock, folk, and classical bass lines. Try it with G minor or G 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 3, providing a solid low foundation.
Common questions
What notes are in G natural minor?
G natural minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, and F. The scale follows the pattern W, H, W, W, H, W, W. Play these notes from G to G to hear the natural minor sound.
Which chords fit G natural minor?
G natural minor works over G minor and G 5th chords. It also fits progressions in the key of G minor. Use it with chords built from the scale, like E♭ major and F major.
How does G natural minor differ from G minor pentatonic?
G natural minor adds two notes to G minor pentatonic: A and E♭. These notes create the 9th and ♭6 intervals. The pentatonic scale has five notes, while natural minor has seven.