Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ aeolian dominant scale on guitar
F♯ aeolian dominant contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, and E. Its Box 1 shape places the root on string 6, fret 2.
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 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ aeolian dominant is F♯ natural minor with a raised third: A♯ instead of A. The scale keeps the minor seventh and the flattened sixth, so it carries the augmented fifth from F♯ to D. Compare F♯ natural minor to hear the one-note difference.
When to use it
F♯ aeolian dominant fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over A♭ minor 7th flat 5th or A♭ diminished for tension. The scale suits rock and fusion lines in F♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 2, and the shape covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ aeolian dominant?
F♯ aeolian dominant contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, and E. The scale has a major third and a minor seventh. It is the fifth mode of B melodic minor. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ aeolian dominant fit?
F♯ aeolian dominant fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over A♭ minor 7th flat 5th and A♭ diminished. The scale adds an augmented fifth color to dominant sounds.
What is the difference between F♯ aeolian dominant and F♯ natural minor?
F♯ aeolian dominant raises the third degree from A to A♯. This creates a major third instead of a minor third. The rest of the notes stay the same.