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