Example Pattern Bass Exercise

By R.D. Ledesma

This page shows (4-string)bass fretboard charts with the same finger positions used differently through intervals by fret distances to the root point. The distance of the first finger(1) from the root (key) marks how you can remember how to start using the scale if you want to use it as a major, minor, 7th, or minor 7th. Please read the captions below the diagrams for the explanations.
Legend
The red numbers specify which finger to use - (1 = 1rst finger 4 = 4th or little finger)
The red dot marks the spot on which key the scale is in - (red dot on the E-string 3rd fret from left is G)
The blue lines are the strings.

Major scale
The red dot is on A which is on the 5th fret string no.4. If you move the second finger over the 3rd fret (G) while retaining the same finger positioning, then you will be playing the G Major scale. You can start or end the scale from any finger or string as long as you keep your fingers within the pattern
Minor scale
The red dot is located on G sharp. If the first finger(1) starts at 2 frets on the right(B flat) while retaining the same finger position as the above diagram, then the G# minor scale is played. Note your left hand will still be using the same form as the above diagram but now you are playing a minor scale. If the red dot is in A and the first finger starting the scale is in B, then the A minor scale is played and so on and so forth.


Dom 7th scale
This time we are still using the same finger position. Same as the first diagram above which is the major scale but this time the first finger or beginning of the scale starts from the 3rd interval which is four frets to the right(B flat). We now have F#7 on the diagram as the red dot is on F#
If we move the red dot one fret to the right retaining the same finger position and fret interval starting the scale on C, then we will be playing the G7 scale.
Minor Seventh scale
This time it is the minor 7th scale and we start with the first finger 3 frets to the left. The above diagram shows a B flat minor 7th scale. If we move the whole thing one fret to the left and start from F# with the first finger, then we will have an A min 7 scale.

This is a different approach to the use of the same finger position pattern where the various distances from the root point could change the effect such as each 'point distance' produces the major, Dominant 7th, minor or minor 7th scale. Seems a little mathematical and geometric but It might work sometimes.

You may start trying out the pattern by using the succession table on the figure below.
Example exercise sequence
and vice versa.










Top
Back to Index