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C aeolian dominant scale on guitar
C aeolian dominant uses C, D, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. The Box 1 shape places the root on the fifth string, third fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C aeolian dominant scale on guitar?
C aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of C natural minor from E♭ to E to create this scale. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Compare with C natural minor to hear the difference. The major third over the minor sixth gives a dominant sound.
When to use it
Use it over C major or C 5th chords in blues and rock. The ♭6 and ♭7 add a dark, exotic tension. Try it over C major or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on the fifth string, third fret keeps the hand low and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What is the formula for C aeolian dominant?
The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. This gives a major third and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of F melodic minor.
Can I use C aeolian dominant over a minor chord?
No, the major third clashes with a minor chord. Use it over major or dominant chords. The tonic is C major.
What is the parent scale of C aeolian dominant?
C aeolian dominant is the fifth mode of F melodic minor. The parent scale starts on F. The mode begins on the fifth degree, C.