Why Do We Use Scales?
If you ever wondered why we use bass scales, this lesson will be a great place to start finding out.
Category Archives for "Bass Scales"
Your First Bass Scale (Diatonic Major)
Here’s an introduction lesson for bass guitar players. If you’re just getting started, then you’re in exactly the right place!
In this lesson you’ll learn the G major scale, and how to use it.
As usual, any comments or questions are welcome, underneath the video.
Once you’ve got a handle on the major scale, the next step is to learn some riffs from it!
A Better Understanding of the Fingerboard
Here’s a really important lesson for new bass players, on understanding the fingerboard of your instrument. We’ll cover tones and semitones from a bit of a different perspective than the Level 1 lesson, as well as some basic interval patterns, and how to quickly find your notes on the fingerboard. We’ll also look at accidentals, ie flats and sharps.
The Diatonic Major Scale on the 5 String Bass
The major scale is probably the most common scale you’ll end up using on the bass, and in this lesson, Colin has focused on using it specifically with a 5 string bass. The great thing about a 5 string is the symmetry you have… grab your bass and prepare to learn the scale!
The Diatonic Minor Scale
The diatonic minor scale (diatonic meaning it contains 7 notes) can be played with many different fingerings on the bass. But you should start by remembering the pattern first and getting the right fingers assigned to the right frets.
The Pentatonic Minor Scale (for the Bass)
This lesson is on the pentatonic minor scale, for the bass.
Make sure you’ve gone through the Tones and Semitones (Bass Guitar For The Total Beginner) lesson first, because that lays the foundation for what you’re going to learn in this lesson.
In this lesson, we’ll cover pentatonic minor scale in the 1 position, plus the open position, plus the Mixolydian scale, also known as the pentatonic climb. We’ll also look at how this applies to four and five string basses.
Once you’ve mastered the pentatonic scale pattern, the next step is to learn some riffs from that scale!
What are Pentatonic and Diatonic?
Though the main difference between pentatonic and diatonic scales is simply the number of notes used in each (pentatonic containing 5 and the diatonic with 7), they can be worlds apart in terms of sound – the style of music you are playing will be the main influence on choosing which type of scale to use.
Bass Symmetrics: Diatonic Minor
Just as we looked at bass symmetrics in major keys, here we will be applying the same theory to minor – again, knowing your I, IV, V theory will be important before tackling this lesson.
Bass Symmetrics: Diatonic Major
Bass symmetrics involves taking scales and other patterns and joining them together on the fretboard. You will need to have grasped a bit about I, IV, V theory and know a few scale patterns before tackling this lesson.
Bass Symmetrics: Pentatonic Minor
We have taken a look at symmetrics for major and minor-key patterns, but here we will be working off the pentatonic minor scale.
Chromatic Passing Notes: Pentatonic Major
Chromatic passing notes are a great way to add some extra push to your bass walks. In this lesson Colin deals with using chromatic passing notes in the major scale. Once you’ve done this lesson, checkout the lesson on chromatic passing notes in the minor scale as well.
Chromatic Passing Notes: Pentatonic Minor
This is the second bass lesson where Colin has gone into detail on using chromatic passing notes. The other lesson focused exclusively on the major scale (you can find it here), while this lesson focuses on the minor scale. The notes we’re dealing with here are between the III and the IV, the IV and the V, and the VII and the VIII.
Relative Major & Minor Relating to I IV V
Understanding the relative majors and minors, and how that all ties in with I IV V is quite a powerful concept on the bass, as you can use that really for the basis (no pun intended) of most of your playing, if you want to.
Using Scales To Follow A Chord Progression
One of the more advanced ways to play the bass is to actually follow the chord progressions by changing scales with the chord changes.
Bass Guitar Triads / Chord Scale
Here is a handy lesson for working out bass guitar chords on a scale. You will need to know the layout of the notes, but the chord shapes won’t be too hard to figure out.
Related Videos:
How To Solo On The Bass (Scales)
In the first of our two-part lesson on how to solo on the bass, we are going to start off by looking at some important scale positions and key notes.