In this new bass lesson, I’m showing you how to learn & use your bass scales, by applying my ‘Linear Harmony Concept’. And, most importantly… how to apply them to create music!
Do you know your major scales? This is a question i was asked by one of my past tutors. I obviously said yes… and I really believed I did. He then proceeded to give me some major scale exercises that i’m afraid proved me otherwise!
Knowing your major scales and arpeggios in every part of the bass neck in all positions is invaluable and should be practiced daily. The exercises i have given you in the following video tutorials will really open up the geometry of the bass neck and if practiced alongside the arpeggio exercises you will truly start to ‘see’ the available harmony for any given chord sequence all over the bass. By practicing each different fingering of the major scale and then incorporating the continuous scale exercises you will also be practicing them modally as well.
Once you’ve started to get to grips with these exercises you can start to apply them to different scales. A great way to do this is by applying the exercises over a jazz standard. Begin with easier standards like ‘Autumn Leaves’ and then when ready progress through to pieces like ‘Stella by Starlight’.
Take your time and be patient, the continuous scale exercises are tough to start with! Remember, becoming a great musician is a lifetimes worth of study… so enjoy the ride!
Happy shedding,
S.
Part 1
Part 2
Want the tab and notation for this lesson?!… Click here to find out!
great lesson scott thank u for takeing time to share with me
My pleasure! S.
my bredrin Leon put me on to your youtube clips..
respect to you for sharing your knowledge.. trying to take it in but i’m slow.lol
Scott, thanks for your great tutorials, I think they are among the best on the web, if not THE best. I was looking for methods centered around the chordal approach, so finding your site has been a real treasure. I stumbled on your tutorials through a search which started with Carol Kaye. If you’re not already linked to her site, perhaps you would benefit by linking with her. Ron
That Eb Maj scale starting on the little finger is hard to pull off on a 4 string though. You have to jump down on the G string to hit the octive.
Scott,
Thanks for all your useful lessons!
I am still however having troubles with remembering which notes are in which key, but this lesson will help me alot while practising I think!
There is only 1 thing I don’t understand, and that’s the excersise where you combine all the chords together, I just can’t get it to which note your going next.
I am sorry for my bad English.
Thanks and keep posting these videos!
- Davy
Scott! Your site is pure Gold!! Priceless Stuff! Music School and Instrument classes were overloading me conceptually. But your Site put back Joy in my learning and practice. Keep your site the way it is, soon the entire media sphere will take notice.
lesson 2 way over my head.
Hey Mate,
This is awesome! Great lesson!
Is there something similar for the minor scales? I am on the dark side of the force and tend to keep my basslines more in minor scales that in major scales… :)
Let me know where I can find information about minor scales starting with 3 (or 4) different fingers…
Cheers Mate!
Marcelo
hey scott i really do enjoy your lessons, they are very understanding.I appreciate you learning your way around the bass world and reaching back to help others out that is still out their feeling our way around.keep up the good work,i will be glad to donate to someone that will help someone else understand and be a better player.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Muchas gracias Scott!!! Un gran abrazo desde Argentina.
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Ive been playing bass for years professionally and was lucky enough to travel the world doing it but your practice excercises on these two vids is melting my mind!! You’re teaching an old dog some new tricks, AWESOME!!!! Loving the vids.
As a beginner, the chicken & egg situation is learning which notes are in each scale (as the sharps/flats change) AND where those notes are on the fretboard.
Does anyone have a recommended good way to learn these notes quickly? Best to sit with a fretboard chart open & a a list of the notes in the scales that I am practicing? I guess it should be a couple of weeks & I will have it down that way. Are there other suggestions? Cheers!