Explore scales · Guitar
G acoustic scale on guitar
G acoustic uses G, A, B, C♯, D, E, F. Box 1 keeps the raised fourth on the second string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the G acoustic scale on guitar?
G acoustic 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 low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
G acoustic 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 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
G acoustic raises the fourth of G mixolydian from C to C♯. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. This creates a Lydian Dominant sound, also called Overtone or Lydian ♭7. Compare it with G mixolydian to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use G acoustic over G7, G major, or G 5th chords in rock, fusion, and jazz. The ♯4 adds tension over dominant chords. Try it over G major or G 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the sixth string and covers frets 0–3 for quick access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in G acoustic?
G, A, B, C♯, D, E, F. The raised fourth is C♯ and the flat seventh is F.
Which chords fit G acoustic?
G7, G major, and G 5th work well. The scale also fits over A major and D minor in progressions.
How is G acoustic different from G mixolydian?
G acoustic has a C♯ instead of C. That raised fourth creates the Lydian Dominant sound.