D Major Scale on Bass
The D Major Scale (D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#) shown across the full 4-string bass fretboard. Tap any note to hear it, or open it in BassMapper to play along with a MIDI file. Free, no account needed.
About the Major Scale
The major scale is the bright, resolved sound most Western music is built on. Seven notes with a stable, happy feel. On bass it's the reference every other scale and chord is measured against, and the home base for building lines in a major key. Learn one fingering shape and it transposes anywhere on the neck.
The fretboard above shows the D Major Scale in every position at once. Open it in BassMapper and drop in a MIDI file to watch the scale light up on the neck in real time as a song plays.
questions
What notes are in the D Major Scale?
The D Major Scale contains D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.
What does the Major Scale sound like?
Bright, stable and resolved: the classic 'do-re-mi' happy sound of pop, country, and worship music.
How do I play the Major Scale on bass?
Anchor on the root with your middle finger, then play the shape one string at a time. Because the pattern is fixed, sliding it to a new root gives you the scale in any key.