This is a search-engine-friendly text mirror of the TalkBass Forums

VIEW FULL LIVE VERSION : practicing scales all over the neck


low5_er
10-06-2006, 01:14 PM
So I'm sure that we've all heard the saying "Practice your scales, modes, arpeggios, ect . . . in every position, in every key over the entire range of the fretboard".

Does anyone have or know of a practice system/method covers all this? Any websites, or books, or what-have-you?

I'm finding that I practice my scales in the same sport, and totally understand the value of applying it everywhere, but I need a system. Any comments would be appreciated,
Low5_er

DaemonBass
10-07-2006, 05:40 AM
Try the stickies at the top of the forum

Poop-Loops
10-07-2006, 12:17 PM
Circle of 5th's/Cycle of 4ths?

steveb98
10-07-2006, 12:49 PM
More effective way to practice scales and mode is practice playing them from the lowest note on your bass to the highest that fit the key. Go up and back down.
This method will force you to really know how the scale/mode are constructed. How to use shifts to reposition yourself to get going up or down. This got me into "seeing" scales/modes as upper and lower tetrachords. Because shifting on tetrachord works well.

I started initailly by working on playing scales/mode in two octaves. Once you have that adding the extra notes at both ends is simple.

I got into this when I went to bass lesson and in the first lesson I had to play major scale on one string. Then get it up to speed and sounding smooth. Then worked on major scales on two strings. Then shifting at different points. After doing that it because easier to "see" the whole neck in a particular scale. Later on I applied the same thing to modes.

Doing this at first helped on soloing, but then I found myself using the knowledge in sightreading and getting around when suddenly the music starts climbing leger lines. Now using for walking bass. What started as a playing a scale on one string has turned into a wealt of knowledge.