The major scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The major scale has 7 notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. In A, that gives A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G♯. It is the reference scale of Western music, the “do re mi fa sol la ti do”. Every interval, chord and mode is measured against it.

Also called: Ionian mode, Ionian scale.

Formula and notes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step. In A:

One position on the neck

The major scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--6--7-|
D|-4--6--7-|
A|-4--5--7-|
E|-4--5--7-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the major scale

The reference scale. Bright, joyful sound. Foundation of all music theory. Master it in all keys.

You mostly hear it in pop, rock, jazz, classical music and country.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the major scale fits Amaj7, A6, Aadd9 and A6/9. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the major scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The melodic minor scale: ♭3 instead of 3.
• The Lydian mode: ♯4 instead of 4.
• The Mixolydian mode: ♭7 instead of 7.
• The Ionian augmented mode: ♯5 instead of 5.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions