Bass Guitar Scale Chart
4-string bass, tuning E A D G · low string on the left · pick a key & scale
How to play
- Root — tap any of the 12 notes to set the key; the fretboard re-maps instantly.
- Scale — Major, Natural Minor, the two Pentatonics, Blues, Dorian, Mixolydian or Harmonic Minor.
- Labels — switch dot text between scale degrees (1, ♭3, 5…) and note names.
- Tap a dot to hear that note; the coloured dots are the root. The panel shows the note spelling and the step formula (W = whole, H = half).
- Play scale climbs the scale from the root; press again to stop. Vol sets volume. Keyboard: Tab + Enter/Space.
An interactive chart maps out guitar scales on a fretboard diagram that clearly shows where to place fingers. Clicking on the notes allow you to explore them, with control via keyboard too. Changing settings update the tool, which is great because it lets you easily compare scales without leaving page.
Begin by setting your key (root note). Select a scale type next to view pattern of notes that moves around strings. To get started, you can select from one of 12 notes of the chromatic scale using the root selection buttons. Tap a letter (i.e., G or C), and chart will redraw to indicate location of that key on neck. It’s the important step since all of the scale shapes is based off their home note. No concern with accidentals here; it automatically toggles between sharps and flats.
How to Use the Guitar Scale Chart
A line of scale types run below the root buttons, including Blues, Pentatonics, Major, Minor (natural), and modes like Mixolydian and Dorian. When engaged they highlight in teal showing you which pattern you’re looking at. Moving from one to another instant changes the dots on the fretboard and lets you see immediately what scales uses how many notes. This is great for seeing why your major scale takes up more space then, say, a pentatonic scale that feels more open.
To change the text displayed in the dots along the fretboard, you can toggle the label mode from note names (F sharp, for example) to degree mode, displaying numbers and symbols such as 1, b3, or 5. That will show you where a note fits in the scale and also help you hear why some notes feels more stable than others when using the scale.
To listen to how the scales sound, simply click on one of the dots on the fret board or press play scale. This will briefly highlight the position. If you click on one individual dot, it will only play that note. It will sound like a short guitar tone. If you use the play scale button it will sequence through all the notes in order from bottom to top, highlighting and playing each dot in turn. Pressing play scale again pause the sequence and returns you to the play button.
Next to the play button is another neat little slider which control the master output level. You simply drag this to the left for quieter playing or to the right for louder playing, great for not disturbing other people with those external speakers blaring away! To make the chart full screen, just click on the fullscreen button. The chart fills your entire screen. This makes it even easier to read on tablets or on a monitor. Fretboard will increase in size accordingly.
Below this is a set of buttons listing every possible diatonic chord for any given seven-note scale. Tap on one and it will play a three-note arpeggio to help you ‘hear’ the chord’s relationship with the scale. It also shows its name and Roman numeral. This section is hidden behind pentatonic and blues scales because neither contains full chords. Seventh chords that function like this within the progression.
If you’re stuck, take a second to read some quick instructions by hitting the help toggle on top of page for best experience. You should of used it earlier. If you don’t want to use your mouse, you can navigate through the controls with your keyboard using the tab key. To use volume slider, use arrow keys when it’s highlighted and hit enter to select whatever button you’ve got highlighted. When the chart finishes a sequence, it’ll stop itself so you can change things without needing to do anything manually.
Before you try these scales out on your guitar, use this one as a way of determining if the feel is comfortabley for you. For example, compare the minor pentatonic and the blues scale to hear what that added note bring to the scale. You can also change the labels from scale degrees to note names and this will help fix the patterns in your mind more quickly than staring at still pictures ever could.
Explore different roots and scales until you find combinations that spark curiosity. Because it will react immediately to any adjustment you make, there’s no right or wrong way to use the chart. Spend some time listening to what happens when you use the playback options as well as looking at them so your ears can be trained too. Enjoy exploring new patterns on your virtual fretboard.