Melodic Development: Lesson 1 Part 1 I have written out a sequential pattern along with a suggested fingering pattern using notes from the C Major Scale.

The idea behind this is to give you some melodic content that repeats itself across the fingerboard.

Although the most commonly used bass is a 4 String with 24 frets It's not unusual to see a 5 String Bass tuned B, E, A, D, G or E, A, D, G, C or a 6 String Bass tuned B, E, A, D, G, C. Here is a melodic sequence along with a suggested fingering pattern for the C Major/Ionian scale played over the whole range of the fingerboard starting from the lowest note available on the lowest string up to the highest note available on the highest string.

Starting at a slow tempo like 40 BPM play this pattern 3 times without stopping, once you can lay this exercise with ease raise the metronome increment no more than 5 BPM and repeat. Continue this way until you reach a challenging tempo like 120 BPM with the metronome on beats 2 and 4.

Work your way up to a challenging tempo like 120 BPM on beats 2 and 4 and then move on to the next part. Continued >>

 

C Major Sequential Fingering Pattern

 

Part 2 Using the material discussed in part 1 I have written a melody focusing on the sequential pattern then developing the phase to create a new idea. I'm playing my melody along with a sustained C Major Chord so we can relate the sequential pattern to something harmonic, however you can use any of the Chords or Chord Progression related to the C Major Modes. Start playing your melody at a slow tempo building it slowly to a more challenging tempo. You can apply this technique over any sustained Chord or Drone. Try to find ways of musically developing the sequential pattern. Use this melody as a basis for your own improvisations for part 3 of this lesson. I recommend playing your melody and improvisation along with a sustained chord or drone so you can clearly hear the color of the melodic content in context with the harmony. I have written out a fingering pattern as an example of how you can move around the fingerboard. Melody in C Major

 

Part 3 Start with the mine or preferably your own melody as a starting point for your own improvisation. Try to focus and utilize as much of the pattern as possible within your improvisations, once you feel the time is right try developing your idea to finish the phrase naturally with another idea. Try playing these improvisations from a slow tempo to a more challenging tempo. Part 4 In part 3 we were playing our ideas over a drone or a sustained chord, this time try defining your melodic ideas over short harmonic progressions. I have written out 2 short chord progressions all within one key covering the Major Modes. This will allow you to stay focused to the idea you are trying to create, and the limitation and length of the progression will help you to shape your phrases. Try playing these improvisations from a slow tempo to a more challenging tempo. Here are 2 simple phrases using the concept of the sequential pattern found in part 1. I'm simply taking the melodic idea and trying to end the phase by using some melodic development. Example 1

Example 2