This way, a single pattern can be used to play the scale at any fretboard position, and therefore in any key. Patterns show where the notes fall on the bass neck in relation to each other. One big difference in how most guitarists and players of non-fretted instruments learn scales is that guitarists learn scales in shapes, or patterns, rather than by learning the actual sequence of notes contained in each scale. See more information and hear sample tracks on this page. Our backing tracks will help you learn and master modes on your bass guitar. Modal scales are scales derived from the major scale, with each one having its own individual sound. Our Bass Modes Backing Tracks album contains tracks that allow you to experiment with modal scales. Use the tracks to invent bass lines or to improvise bass solos. Our Bass Scales Backing Tracks album contains a selection of tracks, each of which allows you play along using a specific scale. We also publish two bass backing tracks albums designed to help you learn & practice scales:īass scales backing tracks - click image for more information. It’s available either as a pdf download or as a physical book. If you’re interested in learning more bass scales, as well as bass arpeggios and bass chords, then check out our book: Bass Guitar Scales, Chords and Arpeggios.
Scales are used in writing basslines, in improvisation and in songwriting. Having a good knowledge of bass scales is an useful skill for a bass guitarist. Learning Bass Scales: eBook & Bass Backing Tracksīass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios downloadable ebook: click image for more information. If you have any questions about the scales on this page then feel free to ask them in the comments below we're happy to help. The chart can be printed on a single piece of paper and will make a useful reference for the wall of your practice room. (The links take you to the pdf version of the chart there’s no log-in or sign-up required.) You can download and print a pdf version of the bass scales chart by clicking here or on the image above. Printable bass scales chart - click image to download pdf. Find out more about whole tones and semitones at Wikipedia: Whole Tones, Semitones.Therefore a whole tone interval means skipping a fret.) (On the bass fretboard, adjacent frets are a semitone apart. It comprises 7 notes (8 including the octave), spaced: whole tone, whole tone, semitone, whole tone, whole tone, whole tone, semitone. The major scale is the ‘standard’ scale used in western music. This common scale is used not only in blues, but also in rock, metal, jazz and many other musical styles. This is the flattened fifth degree of the scale, a note that is also known as the ‘flat 5’, or ‘blues note’.īlues scales, as the name suggests, have a ‘bluesy’ sound. The blues scale is simply a pentatonic minor scale that has been embellished with a single, additional note. These include: writing rock / metal basslines and licks improvising over minor chord progressions and writing folk melodies. The pentatonic minor scale is extremely versatile, and can be used in a number of musical situations. In the majority of cases, they’ll be referring to the pentatonic minor scale, which is the one we’ve included in the bass scales chart above. However, when most people talk about the pentatonic scale they are referring to either one of two scales: the pentatonic minor scale, or the pentatonic major scale. Strictly speaking, a pentatonic scale is any scale that is comprised of 5 notes. Pentatonic Scaleīass Scales Chart: Pentatonic Scale Patterns Scroll down to download a printable pdf version of the chart, with no log-in or sign-up required. They show the scales as played on a 4 string bass with standard tuning.
The bass scales chart below shows three common bass scales (pentatonic minor, blues and major) as patterns on a fretboard.