Advanced Bass Scales 2
So you are done with those “easy” pentatonic and blues scales, and you’re looking for something a little more challenging – Advanced Bass Scales 2 could be what you are looking for. The scales in advanced bass scales 2 are more difficult than the pentatonics, and will take more practice than what you are used to. First, you will be learning the “Major” scales. You will then find that the “Dorian” and “Mixolydian” scales are exactly the same as the Major Scales – but they start at different positions on the fret board. Pretty cool, right! Once you learn the Major scale and the 5 positions, all you will have to do is to learn the positions for the Dorian and Mixolydian scales (same scales, just at different positions on the fret board).
Note: The Bass Scale video clips are not available as of yet, so if we happen to use a guitar scale video clip to demonstrate temporarily – they are pretty much the same scales, just shown on the guitar. The top 4 strings of the guitar scales will be the notes used for bass scales. Sorry for the inconvenience – the bass scale video clips for advanced bass scales 2 will be coming soon…
Scale modes are explained in more detail under our Menu “Bass Scale Modes” BASS SCALE MODES MENU!
Let’s get started…
These are the scales that will be used on this menu page:
1. The “Major” scales
2. The “Dorian” scales
3. The “Mixolydian” scales
The “Major” Scales
Here are the 5 basic “Major” scale positions – Each Scale will have a Video Clip attached to it. As with all other scales, they will all fit together like a puzzle…All scales will be shown in the key of “A” unless specified. Used in Jazz, Country, etc.
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Position #1 |
Position #2 |
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Position #3 |
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Position #4 |
Position #5 |
All the Major Scales – HANDOUT!
The “Dorian” Scales
Here are the 5 basic “Dorian” scale positions – Each Scale will have a Video Clip attached to it. As you will soon discover, they will all fit together like a puzzle…All scales will be shown in the key of “A” unless specified. Used in Jazz, Rock, Fusion, Metal, Country.
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Position #1 |
Position #2 |
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Position #3 |
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Position #4 |
Position #5 |
All the Dorian Scales – HANDOUT!
Notice that the “Dorian” scales are exactly the same as the “Major” scales, but they will start at different positions on the fret board.
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| Major Scale #1 | Dorian Scale #5 |
The “Mixolydian” Scales
Here are the 5 basic “Mixolydian” scale positions – Each Scale will have a Video Clip attached to it. As you will soon discover, they will all fit together like a puzzle…All scales will be shown in the key of “A” unless specified. Used mostly over Jazz type chords.
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Position #1 |
Position #2 |
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Position #3 |
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Position #4 |
Position #5 |
All the Mixolydian Scales – HANDOUT!
Notice that the “Mixolydian” scales are exactly the same as the “Major” scales, but they will start at different positions on the fret board.
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| Major Scale #1 | Mixolydian Scale #3 |
The “Puzzle”
In advanced bass scales 2 we keep talking about how each of the 5 scale patterns in each mode fit together like a “Puzzle” on the fret board – so I will explain the puzzle thing now. First I will play all the minor pentatonic scales down the fret board, then up the fret board (see video clips below). Then show you a diagram showing all the minor pentatonic scales on the fret board (as best as I can). This information should give you a better idea of what I mean by the “Puzzle.”
NOTE: The following video clips will be using a guitar for the demonstration, but the basic principles are the same for the Bass Guitar – The Bass guitar version will be coming soon to advanced bass scales 2.
All Minor Pentatonic Scales Down the Fret Board Video Clip!
All Minor Pentatonic Scales Up the Fret Board Video Clip!
| Now let’s take a look at a Diagram of the Scale “Puzzle” |
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The “Puzzle” Example – Handout!
Practice Tips for improving your playing skills – Scales.
1. Play each scale over and over, up and down the fret board and back.
2. Take your time, always get a good, clean sound from each of the notes you play.
3. Use the One / Two picking sequence consistently – don’t cheat.
4. Don’t try to play too fast – too soon, or you will develop bad habits (the notes will sound sloppy).
5. As you play a scale be aware of the root notes (do this with all of the scales in advanced bass scales 2).
6. Once you are comfortable with a scale, start practicing by playing them over chord progressions. Chord Progressions Section!
7. Set aside some time each day to practice, a consistent practice plan is essential to developing your skills.
8. Improvise, try different notes over different chords, understand what notes sound best to land on, play notes in different order, etc. Be creative, use your imagination with the scales in advanced bass scales 2.
Experimenting and Improvisation will be the Key…
If you want to develop your playing skills using the scales in advanced bass scales 2, you first must be able to play each scale with ease (you must memorize all the scales). Then, you have to do a lot of jamming – whether it’s with guitarists, drummers, use recorded chord progressions or even use drum tracks.
You must memorize the sound that each of these advanced bass guitar scale has, which chords the scales work best over, and which notes sound best to land on, etc. You must experiment, don’t be lazy or boring. Don’t play the same notes the same way every time you Jam – experiment with different notes (understand which notes sound right, and which notes don’t sound right). You have to memorize the scales to the point where you actually start to see them on the fret board – recalling them with ease. Sounds like its pretty difficult, but actually, after a lot of practice, it will usually just come to you.
Common Mistakes made by Bassists
1. Trying to play a scale too fast, too soon. Practice a scale only as fast as you are capable of, get a good, clean sound from each note (sloppy sounding notes will get you nowhere).
2. Trying to do it all on your own – Many players waste a lot of time trying to figure things out on their own. I can assure you that a couple lessons with a good bass teacher can get you moving quickly in the right direction. It may be just what you need?
3. Understanding when your teacher just cannot help you anymore! If you are not being challenged by your bass teacher, then it’s time to move on. Don’t be timid about changing teachers, it’s your future, do what’s best for you.
4. Make it Interesting! Yes, practicing scales for hours will be boring, but will eventually be very beneficial to your development. But you also have to try to keep it fun. So learn some songs that are interesting for you to play, that make you feel good. You have to create a balance between hard core practicing and playing some songs that are interesting (fun).
5. Playing with other Musicians, use Chord Progressions, or Drum Tracks – Don’t put a time frame on this, play with other musicians as much as possible (whenever you can, and wherever you can). It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes when you are jamming, as long as you are fixing the mistakes. Jamming with others will not only show you how and where you are progressing as a bassist – it will also help to point out your “flaws” and what you need to work on.
Do it now, don’t make excuses, find someone to play with…or Jam to Chord Progressions! Or try Jamming with the Drum Tracks! Try out the scales you’ve learned in advanced bass scales 2 here!
6. What on earth are you playing? One of the hardest things a bassist can do is to be honest about their playing. What I mean by this is that you really need to “listen” to what you are playing. Sometimes you will see bassists playing along with songs, and they are so loud, you can’t even tell if they are playing the song correctly (and most likely they aren’t playing the song correctly). Are you in tune? Are you playing the scale correctly? Do the notes sound sloppy? All things to listen for when you are playing (and practicing). Be a good listener, and be honest about your playing – and most of all, slow down if you need to.
Again, I cannot stress enough that there is really no other way to become highly skilled at playing the scales in advanced bass guitar scales 2 other than lots of practice. The more time you put into it, the more you will get out of it…lots of repetition and hard work is the only way!
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