Well I have memorized all my major scales but now I don't know what to do with them. So far I can only just play random notes inside a scale. I know there is more to using scales then this. please help thank you.

Here's a question to ask yourself. Do you have the scales memorized, or do you have the patterns memorized? I think a must for anyone that wants to get good at improv (on both guitar and bass) is for them to memorize the fretboard. That doesn't mean having taking a couple seconds to think of it. That means someone asking you "Play every [insert note here] on the fretboard" and you being able to do it without having to think about it.

I honestly don't have any suggestions on how to do this. The way I did it was my teacher gave me a bunch of diagrams of the fretboard, and I would just make copies of them and write out each pattern of every major and natural minor scale. Over time and through repetition, I memorized it. What I don't recommend is just playing each fret in order and memorizing them that way.

Once you're able to do that, learn about chord tone soloing. I really recommend watching This (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5777562536751428345&q=melodic+control&ei=-uwcSPSTI4yArgL0kayrAw) video, or at least most of it. It was made for guitar, but the concepts are the same for every instrument.

And obviously don't forget to practice.

are you in a band ?
if not, get in one.

That won't really make you better at learning to use scales..Though it's definitely an incentive to practice

Now go here (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170) to find out how well you really know your scales.

Scales are overrated. Important, but not as important as being able to play within chords & connect chords.

Also, it is important to not just now the scales in symmetrical form but in asymmetrical forms as well. Try breaking down the scale into different combinations of intervals. Also, try exploring the whole fingerboard in a melodic way but confine yourself to the notes of a certain scale. All that stuff helped me and is still in my practice routine to date.

Scales are overrated. Important, but not as important as being able to play within chords & connect chords.

Chords and progressions are built off of scales though.

Okay you know how to finger one scale type. That means you have taken the first baby step. You need to work on making music with the scale and how the scale relates to chords that is how they become more than an exercise.

There are many ways to approach this and you need to find some that you like because there are more scales and modes to learn. Playing scales in intervals, sequences, arpeggios, patterns, and similar methods. Transcribing bass lines or solos you know are made from that scale. Ear training so you can recognize that scale when you hear it. Technique playing all those scale intervals, sequences, and etc in two octaves and then end to end on your bass. Additional you need to learn the theory behind how the scale is constructed so you can play the scale on one-string, two-strings. Do a little composition using the scale and its harmony. And on and on.

So as you can see you have only scratched the surface by learning some fingerings for a scale. You don't know a scale until you know how to make music with it.

learn your modes and minor scales, and then melodic and harmonic minor scales no ur fretboard like u no ur hands, don't look to find notes, be able 2 hear if ur not in the key you wanted to be without looking, get the feel of licks and grooves you can play using the scales, and join a band!!

Well I have memorized all my major scales but now I don't know what to do with them. So far I can only just play random notes inside a scale. I know there is more to using scales then this. please help thank you.


Makes up some of your own lines based on the patterns you've learned. I've only ever learned one major and one minor scale pattern, but I've been able to write skads of original songs just based on those.


I've also found that almost all the cover I try to learn fall within those scale patters. Also, play them with some feel to a drum machine or with a live drummer.

Well I have memorized all my major scales but now I don't know what to do with them. So far I can only just play random notes inside a scale. I know there is more to using scales then this. please help thank you.

I've only been playing for just over a year, but here is my advice. Learn to play the major scales starting with your 4th(pinky) finger. Then learn the lower extensions of the major scales, for example, for C major starting with your 2nd finger on the C of the A string, learn the scale notes lower than C on the A string plus the E string. Also, if you start a scale with your 2nd finger on the E string, one octave is complete on the D string, but learn the upper extensions for these scales on the D string and G string. Once you learn to play a scale starting with your 4th finger you will see how to do this. Also, you want to get good at arpeggios, so learn how to play the notes from each chord quickly in succesion, both ascending and descending. For example, for a 7th chord, learn to play the root, 3rd, 5th and 7th quickly, both going up and down, all across the fretboard from the E string to the G, keeping your hand in one position (not shifting it). All this should take a while. Good luck!

Scales are overrated. Important, but not as important as being able to play within chords & connect chords.

So.... Scales?

Well I have memorized all my major scales but now I don't know what to do with them. So far I can only just play random notes inside a scale. I know there is more to using scales then this. please help thank you.

Check out Gary Willis answer to your question

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=TtrtG7oVTIA&feature=related

After seeing these, I got a copy of "Fingerboard Harmony for Bass" by Gary Willis. It is so clear and simple and logical. Everything is so musical. With lots of exercices. There is a lot of work in here. Let's really make music from these scales and arpeggios!

I also changed my right-hand technique after viewing these "Progressive Bassics" videos. This has completely solved serious pain problems for me and made me a better player.

learn your modes and minor scales, and then melodic and harmonic minor scales no ur fretboard like u no ur hands, don't look to find notes, be able 2 hear if ur not in the key you wanted to be without looking, get the feel of licks and grooves you can play using the scales, and join a band!!

Don't even think about using your modes until you've learned how to use the major scale effectively. Being able to use the major scale is much more important than being able to use its modes. Also, being able to use the major scale makes it easier to use your modes.

Now go here (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170) to find out how well you really know your scales.

Nice exercise! I'll try that today

Work on your ear training. Then combine that knowledge with the scales.

I don't know what your current playing situation is; but I would say, it's time to learn some songs and get together with other musicians to make some music.

:bassist:

Joe

So.... Scales?

Duh. But if all you know is scales & you aren't playing with chords, you're really not playing musically. There's a big difference between "playing random notes within scales" and "playing triads" for example. I never said don't learn the scale, I just said learn it in a musical way.

I think marktaw got it I am just playing random notes in a scale. It does sound much better then before but I am missing something. So what do I do now? (and pacman that scale practicing method is a work out :) )

Well I have memorized all my major scales but now I don't know what to do with them. So far I can only just play random notes inside a scale. I know there is more to using scales then this. please help thank you.

Now turn them upside down inside out and work on modes, reading, harmony and theory, tone, dynamics, finger style, pick, slap, thumb, touch, tap.

Then develop an actual sound and style that is recognizable. Learn double and triple stops, be able to play effortlessly with a click track, understand what it means to lay back, sit in front or drive down the middle. Be able to transpose to different keys in different positions. Make sure your equipment is dependable, show up on time or early, take direction and rejection well and did I mention; practice-practice-practice?

When you've got that down, repeat and start over! Enjoy the journey!!! :D

I've posted about scales v. chords here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3629921&postcount=15

And a musical way to practice scales here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3630087&postcount=18