Beginning The Major

Scale

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Copyright © 2013 Scott's Bass Lessons

Ex.1

Ex.2

4

4

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Start point 04:06

C Major Scale.

Scott Devine

Beginning the Major Scale (L#58)

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fingering

2 4 1 2 4 1 3 4 4 3 1 4 2 1 4 2

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06:02

C Major Scale.

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Fingering

2 4 1 2 4

"it's up to you to ind out as much as you can about scales, don't limit yourself""it's up to you to ind out as much as you can about scales, don't limit yourself"

1 3 4 4 3 1 4 2 1 4 2

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3 5

2 3 5

2 4 5 5 4 2

5 3 2

5 3

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8 10

7 8 10

7 9 10 10 9 7

10 8 7

10 8

Copyright © 2013 Scott’s Bass Lessons

Beginning the major scale (L#58)

Your Action Plan

1. The major scale is by far the most important scaleyou will ever use, so it's worth putting in a lot of timeand effort into learning it inside and out. By this Imean, multiple finger positions and multiple keys.When I really started to understand how importantthe major scale was and began working on it withinmy practice time every day, I saw hugeimprovements in not only my bass playing but also inmy understanding of harmony and the visualizationof harmony on the fingerboard.

Your first step is to understand that studying the major scale will be one of the big 'corner stones' in your development as a bass player and musician. You might not see it straight away, but trust me, when you look back you will see how important it was to your overall understanding of music.

2. Now let's look at the lesson. Become familiar withthe C major scale to the point where you can play itwithout thinking. Concentrate on the 'shape' or'pattern' that you're using and make sure you canvisualize it on the fingerboard. It's working on yourvisualization that will unlock your bass playing in abig way!

Copyright © 2013 Scott’s Bass Lessons

Finally, start playing the scale in different keys and in different areas of the fingerboard. Get used to how it feels in those different areas. The more natural you can make this feel the better!

3. Melodies, melodies, melodies! I want you to learn atleast 10 different melodies. I generally use TVthemes, film themes etc, but you don't have to limityourself to these. You could use pop songs, radiojingles, whatever you want! The first thing to check isthat all the notes from the melody fits within onemajor scale. Once you find a melody that fits I wantyou to memorize it within one of the fingeringpositions of the major scale, I generally use the majorscale pattern that starts on my second finger as myfirst port of call. Once you've learned the melodywithin one of the fingering patterns I want you tolearn the same melody in the remaining twofingering patterns (refer to the 'How To PracticeScales' tutorial). This exercise is a fantastic way oflearning your different patterns in a thorough and funway. Plus, it's great for your ear training too!

Scott Devine