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Bass chord companion

Db Major Chord

Learn the Db Major chord on bass with chord tones, intervals, playable arpeggios, and fretboard maps.

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1Db3F5Ab

Bass chord tones and arpeggios

Play these tones one at a time to outline the chord. The maps show the complete formula; the numbered exercises give an ascending path, including extensions in their written octave.

Standard four-string bass: E1 – A1 – D2 – G2. String 4 is low E; string 1 is high G. Fingers 1–4 are index through little finger; 0 is open. Use comfortable hand positions and shift where indicated.

Root on E string

Db Major complete chord-tone map around string 4, fret 9. Choose individual tones for a bass line.

Db Major Root on E string bass chord-tone mapDb Major complete chord-tone map around string 4, fret 9. Choose individual tones for a bass line.EADG8910111213513

Ascending arpeggio

Follow steps 1–3 below. Keep one hand position.

Db Major Root on E string numbered bass arpeggioAscending complete formula: Db2, F2, Ab2. Play one numbered note at a time.EADG891011123
StepDegreeNoteString / fretFingerPosition
11Db24 / 92Fret 8
23F23 / 81Fret 8
35Ab23 / 114Fret 8

Root on A string

Db Major complete chord-tone map around string 3, fret 4. Choose individual tones for a bass line.

Db Major Root on A string bass chord-tone mapDb Major complete chord-tone map around string 3, fret 4. Choose individual tones for a bass line.EADG3456751351

Ascending arpeggio

Follow steps 1–3 below. Keep one hand position.

Db Major Root on A string numbered bass arpeggioAscending complete formula: Db2, F2, Ab2. Play one numbered note at a time.EADG3456123
StepDegreeNoteString / fretFingerPosition
11Db23 / 42Fret 3
23F22 / 31Fret 3
35Ab22 / 64Fret 3

Full fretboard map

Every Db Major Chord chord tone across the neck, with roots highlighted for quick orientation.

Interactive

Frets 0–24. Select a position or tap a note to hear it.

GDAEFAbDbFAbDbDbFAbDbFAbFAbDbFAbDbAbDbFAbDbF123456789101112131415161718192021222324

Progression examples using Db Major

Try these progressions to hear the harmony in context. On bass, outline each chord with individual target tones.

Chord Tones

DegreeIntervalNote
1RootDb
3M3F
5P5Ab

Complete Formula

1 – 3 – 5

Compound degrees retain their names: 9, 11, and 13 are extensions. A voicing may place their pitches in a closer register.

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