i really have problems with coming up with cool riffs and i would like to know from you all what i could do with theory ideas or scales.

I am going to assume that you already know about scales, chords, arpeggios, and tensions, etc based on your question.

You should practice playing on one string. Don't even worrry about the fingering. Using one finger for this exercise is fine. Identify all the notes on the string for the scale you want to play in. Now try playing some melodies. Make anything up. You don't need to worry about remembering phrases, arpeggios, or anything. Just try to make it sound musical. Pay attention to phrasing and how the intervals sound. Don't forget to throw in some chromatic approaches, and out of key notes. Listen for how they affect the feeling. If you really want to get good at this, try to sound like a sax player.

Try not to get hung up to much on phrasing within a measure while doing this. Bass players are often so accustomed to playing patterns that we forget how to play outside the box.

Now ask yourself: Does your playing make you feel strong emotion? Does it make you want to laugh or cry? If not, how can you expect your audience to feel this way?

Once you feel comfortable with one string, try another. Once you get 3 or 4 strings down try combining them. You almost never need more than 2 strings.

This will do more for you playing than almost any other exercise.

Listen to some different styles of music that you haven't listened to for a while or have never listened to. Or, I read (or reread..) and old article in Bass Player mag. that one way to come up with a new line was to retune your bass , i.e.- tune each string up or down a step or two, then play a familiar pattern and see how it sounds. As strange as it sounds, I've tried this and actually came up with something.

I never play scales.

credited to Joe Pass

G# major.

c major. j/k. how and why would someone have a favorite scale? i just play the notes that sound good to me, then i go back and see if it was actually even in the same key and give that info to my guitarist.

I've made some cool riffs with using a Blues scale.

I also use alot of arpeggios and major scales.

Either C# Blues Scale

Or Gminor

The kind that tells you both your body mass and your weight. :D

d minor... its really just the saddist scale... :D :D

(in case you didnt get it, go rent "This Is Spinal Tap" right away, and you'll soon get it.

Hey Muttluk, lick my love pump. ;)

A major or A# major or A minor. Notice a bit of a theme?

mixolydian from g I just love that flatted seven:D

34 inches....oh wait a minute...

:eek:

Chromatic..... but I use different notes from it on different songs. ;)

My lame G# major joke has gone unnoticed.

I don't understand how someone can have a "favorite" scale. Context people. Context.

Originally posted by jazzbo
My lame G# major joke has gone unnoticed.

I don't understand how someone can have a "favorite" scale. Context people. Context.

was jazzbo the only one listening in band class??? :rolleyes: :D

Originally posted by Freakapotamus9


was jazzbo the only one listening in band class??? :rolleyes: :D

Well, this one time, at band camp.....

Originally posted by jazzbo
G# major.

That's a good one. I also like to play from the modes of the whole-tone scale for variety.

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald


That's a good one. I also like to play from the modes of the whole-tone scale for variety.

Wait, wait, let me add that to the Idiot's Guide to Scales thread.

Okay, let me think, modes of the whole-tone scale. Hmmmmmm........




Bite me Chris. :)

Minor Pentatonic.

It's the only scale you need to know!
Learn in and you can master rock, blues ..and even jazz music! I promise!

/lovebown

Originally posted by jazzbo


Well, this one time, at band camp.....

Wow, I never would have guessed you would be so familiar with popular culture jazzbo ;).

Originally posted by metallicarules


Wow, I never would have guessed you would be so familiar with popular culture jazzbo ;).

Sometimes I surprise myself. :)

Originally posted by Lovebown
Minor Pentatonic.

It's the only scale you need to know!
Learn in and you can master rock, blues ..and even jazz music! I promise!

/lovebown

Oh no it won't - this was the very first thing that the Tutor said on my first Jazz course - no Blues Scales over the whole tune!!

I'm pretty sure that in any Jazz gig I've been to, you would get booed off the stage if you played one scale thruoghout a whole song - let alone a whole set!! :rolleyes:

Just as long as I'm playing a scale that is correct, I'm happy.:)

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield


Oh no it won't - this was the very first thing that the Tutor said on my first Jazz course - no Blues Scales over the whole tune!!

I'm pretty sure that in any Jazz gig I've been to, you would get booed off the stage if you played one scale thruoghout a whole song - let alone a whole set!! :rolleyes:

I was being ironic Bruce, no need to get upset ;)

/lovebown

Prevailing wage ain't bad either. ;)

Antique Chinese scale

http://www.members.home.com/leecanada/SCALE.1.jpg
http://www.members.home.com/leecanada/SCALE.2.jpg

Just when I think I've got all the scales down, about 90 more pop up. I never had any concept of just how many there are. It's crazy, and confusing. I like all sorts of scales. They make me tingle all over...
:p

the aeolein mode< or however its spelled. in whatever key, just because its the easiest, and don't have to think about it. as soon as we hit a chord built on that I can kinda let go and let my playing be based on FEEL. maybe just because its so simple and easy to remerber what it sounds like.

Originally posted by chump stain
as soon as we hit a chord built on that I can kinda let go and let my playing be based on FEEL.

But just think how much better it would be if it was the same no matter what scale or chord!!! ;)

PS Sorry LOveBown for missing the sarcasm - you need those "rolleyes" smiles!! ;)

yeah, I wish I could remember the sound of each tone in each scale. that would be awesome. someday

I rather enjoy the B# diminished major scales, which have an interesting 6-3i number of notes and some VERY interesting intervals. Unfortunately you cannot play them on a standard bass, or in fact in this Universe at all.