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F aeolian dominant scale on guitar
F aeolian dominant contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. The Box 1 shape starts on the sixth string, first fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F aeolian dominant scale on guitar?
F aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F 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 D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 13 and the high e string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of F natural minor from A♭ to A to build this scale. The intervals are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Compare with F natural minor to hear the change. The major third over the minor sixth creates the dominant quality.
When to use it
Use it over F major or F 5th chords in blues and rock. The ♭6 adds a dark edge to dominant lines. Try it over F major or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on the sixth string, first fret covers frets 1–4 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F aeolian dominant?
The notes are F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of B♭ melodic minor.
Which chords fit F aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is F major. You can also use F 5th power chords. Avoid chords with a natural sixth.
How does F aeolian dominant differ from F natural minor?
F aeolian dominant raises the third from A♭ to A. This creates a major tonic triad instead of a minor one. The rest of the notes stay the same.