Explore scales · Ukulele
F aeolian dominant scale on ukulele
F aeolian dominant is F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. The ukulele grip places the root on string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F aeolian dominant scale on ukulele?
F aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
F aeolian dominant raises the third of F natural minor from A♭ to A, creating a major third over a minor seventh. The scale contains a tritone between G and D♭, but no leading tone. Compare F natural minor for the ♭3 version.
When to use it
Play F aeolian dominant over F major or F 5th chords in a dominant context. It fits the key of A♭ major and the relative D minor. The ♭6 adds a dark, exotic color.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1, covering frets 0–3. This position anchors the scale in the lower register and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in the F aeolian dominant scale?
F aeolian dominant contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, and ♭7. It is a major scale with a lowered sixth and seventh.
Which chords does F aeolian dominant fit?
F aeolian dominant fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over G minor 7th flat 5th and A 7th flat 5th. The scale implies a dominant seventh sound with an altered fifth.
What is the difference between F aeolian dominant and F natural minor?
F aeolian dominant has a major third (A) while F natural minor has a minor third (A♭). Both scales share the same ♭6 and ♭7. The raised third gives the dominant quality.