Why should I learn scales?
What are scales?
The definition of a bass guitar scale is simply a set of musical notes arranged in order. The starting point of western music is the major scale.
What is the major scale?
The table below shows the notes of the C major scale in red relative to all available notes. This table shows that the steps in the major scale always follow this pattern: W W H W W W H
On a four string bass guitar, this is one way you could play the C major scale in the first position.
What is the minor scale?
The next table below shows the notes of the A minor scale in red relative to all available notes. This table shows that the steps in the minor scale always follow this pattern: W H W W H W W
On a four string bass guitar, this is one way you could play the A minor scale in the first position.
How are the major and minor scales related?
The sharp eyed amongst you may have noticed that the notes of the C major scale and the A minor scale are actually identical but with different starting notes or tonics.
Next steps
If you’d like to learn more about scales, members at Scott’s Bass Lessons have access to a course called Functional Theory that will teach you everything you need to know about the musical alphabet.
To become a member, just go to the course page and click on the ‘free trial’ button. This course alone is worth the price of a year’s membership, but you will also find a HUGE number of other courses as well as gain access to our community where you can ask questions of other members and our pro bass mentor team.
