The Bassics Some foundational tidbits for learning bass guitar and advancing to the next level Positions Knowledge of left-hand (or right for some) positions is critical when learning fretless stringed instruments, but ignored by many who play fretted instruments. To have a solid understanding of your left hand position on your bass neck allows you to play more freely. Think about the positioning of your hands before typing on your keyboard. You are free to type quickly because the position of your hands allows for consistency and smooth movement from letter to letter; you no longer have to think about what letter your typing. When the position is mastered, your mind is free to think about words and thoughts that you want to communicate! The same concept applies to positions on your guitar! Position defined – The location of the left hand on the fret-board, determined by the fret number on which the index finger is placed. Ex:               Fret/Position 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st                 I                                        Interval – the distance, measured in steps, between 2 notes (1 fret = half step). W – Whole Step H – Half Step Major scale in ANY key is made up of 7 notes (8 counting the octave), identified by their numbered position in the scale sequence, at these intervals: w-w-h-w-w-w-h 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (8=octave to 1) C D E F G A B C 8 H 7 W 6 W 5 W 4 H 3 W 2 W 1 (Root)

III  

 

W W H W W W H

C B A G F E D C

 

     i      m        r      p  

A String (3rd)

Chords/Arpeggios A Chord is built from the root (1), 3rd, and 5th note (or tone) of the scale. The interval between the 1st (Root) and 3rd determines whether the chord/scale is major or minor Minor 3rd is 1½ steps from the root. Major 3rd is 2 steps from root (see graph above). An Arpeggio is simply the chord tones played in sequence, Root, 3, 5 is the basic arpeggio. From there you can add the 7 or flat 7, 9, 10, 11, 13. When you see a chord with a number after it C7, C9, C11, it’s saying to add that tone in the scale to the chord. Ex: C9 is C, E, G, D (9th refers to the 9th tone if you continued up the scale past the octave, C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D)

Modes Mode – the chords or scales built off each of the notes in a particular key. Basically, there are 7 chords in a key. These chords are built off each of the notes in the scale. Just as the C Maj chord is built off the first note in the C Maj scale (C-E-G / 1st-3rd-5th), the same is done for the remaining notes resulting in these chords and scales. Even though the same notes of the C major scale are being used, building off each one creates different sounds and “feels”. Play each scale to hear the changes and what kind of music or feel you think of when you hear it. Don’t just play the scale from low to high, but play around with it. Create some basic melodies or grooves with each scale to hear what they communicate. Which ones sound “bluesy”? Middle-Eastern? Jazzy? Strange? Dark?

Scale Notes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Basic Chord Names **Mode Names C Major C D E F G A B C CEG (CMaj7) Ionian D minor D E F G A B C D DFA*(Dm7) Dorian E minor E F G A B C D E EGB (Em7) Phrygian F Major F G A B C D E F FAC (FMaj7) Lydian G Major G A B C D E F G GBD (G7) Mixolydian A minor A B C D E F G A ACE (Am7) Aeolian B minor B C D E F G A B BDF (Bø)1 Locrian

1 (half-diminished chord has a flat 5th) *Graph above shows the minor third interval of the D-F, making this a minor chord/scale, same for all minor 3rd intervals)    

**Although the mode names are necessary to know for communication purposes, I personally don’t like them due to their detachment from our culture and language. To the best of my knowledge, the above names were related to the culture that seemed to represent the feeling or use of the above modes. Although this may not be completely accurate, I believe it makes the most sense for applying and memorizing these modes. After all, the modes are meant to be tools for the musician as words and phrases are for the writer!