Practicing scales.

Zaithebassist · #1 08-22-2009, 10:51 AM

What is the best way to practice and memorize scales, and to utilize scales for solos?

Basseroni · #2 08-22-2009, 10:30 PM

I know that this question is mainly directed at Janek but I'll take a shot at it.

I say don't get too caught up in memorizing scales. They do nothing for you if you don't know anything about chords. I would spend more time studying chord structures and the scales that are used with them. From there I would use that information to come up with something original. You can rip scales all day long but if it's not musical what's the point?

queevil · #3 08-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basseroni

I know that this question is mainly directed at Janek but I'll take a shot at it.

I say don't get too caught up in memorizing scales. They do nothing for you if you don't know anything about chords. I would spend more time studying chord structures and the scales that are used with them. From there I would use that information to come up with something original. You can rip scales all day long but if it's not musical what's the point?

My thoughts exactly. I like to listen to a song and figure out which scales correspond the chords that are being played. One thing that helps me is to find the scale, create a walking bass line based on that scale and then add notes to it and or phrase it differently. I say start with a walking bass line only because it's a simple starting point to elaborate upon. I've only recently begun trying to solo so it works for me. You, however may be a bit more advanced and therefore may not need to start so simply.

It would be interesting to see what janek has to say.

janekbass · #4 08-23-2009, 01:35 PM

I would recommend never utilizing scales for solos. All a scale is in a solo is a way to intellectualize notes that comprise a melody.

If you're playing a song and you go to take a solo and chord is D minor 7, and you immediately start thinking about scales that are available to you over that chord it's not going to be very musical. Having a catalogue of melodic ideas and the ability to develop them in the context of what's happening around you is, in my opinion, the way to go about improvising. Through melody you will find your own voice as a soloist, and through developing those melodies you will start to create new and unique sounds with your playing every time you pick up the instrument.

Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work and takes years to accomplish. It's not just a question of learning 12 notes, a few scales and off you go..... it's a question of transcribing information from other soloists that you like, learning that language and vocabulary, and then using it to say something original.

I am by no means suggesting that you don't also learn the theory of the music as well, I think it's really important to understand the structure of what you're playing if only for the ability to communicate that to other people verbally. This is very useful for explaining chord qualities to compign instruments in rehearsal situations, and for arranging, orchestrating, and composing.

But in a performance and improvising sense, you really should be thinking about anything, and letting melodies flow out of you naturally. I think this gives the most honest performance at the end of the day.

Easy,

Janek

Rossesh · #5 12-20-2009, 01:47 PM

Hi

I have been playing bass for just over a year now and what I have problems with is finding suitable exercises to combat both the speed of the right hand and the accuracy of the fretting hand. I find it easier using a pick for fast passages but I want to be able use my fingers which I find are harder to play fast with. I would appreciate it if you could recommend any exercises you know of or use and any tips you could give me on this.

Thank you

Ross

reedo35 · #6 12-20-2009, 01:55 PM

This thread was rather helpful..
Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method

azureblue · #7 12-20-2009, 02:07 PM

practically speaking, scales won't help you much, if you are trying to build speed and precision. I think the exception is a dominant scale played like this- the number are the fingers, and one finger per fret: E string- 4 / A string- 134, D string- 134, G string 12, then reverse it. This builds strength in the first and third fingers. But simple triads and four note chords, both major and minor, are probably more effective, because you will use those motions in your playing more than running a scale.

Or, just get Tower of Power's Live CD and play along with it :-) This works great for upright basses, too.....

DavC · #8 01-17-2010, 11:54 AM

having studied piano since 1963 and bass since 1973 ...
started jazz studies in 1975 ...

i would say it is very important to automatically know , hear and feel what notes go with each chord ... that is just your very basic starting point ... or your pallet to paint from ..!

of course every note can be used , if it lead to a good place .

but , i tend to think of this more from a pianist viewpoint , since that is my main instrument ... bass being # 2 ...

practicing scales is just that ... learning the notes , learning muscle memory , building strength ... it needs to be done ..
but , improvising is a different experience ...

as it's been said ... build your own memory banks full of nice lines / melodies that you like ... learn some horn lines , guitar lines , piano riffs , whatever ... all of that stored information along with your technical skills from practicing scales , will give you a foundation to start improvising from ..!! i believe that when you have those things under your belt , then you can "let it come out" .. " find your own voice " ... " solo " ...

Sincerely ... Dave C.

bassicmelodies · #9 04-13-2010, 12:33 AM

For scales, what I have tried to do, granted it doesn't always happen, is take one seven tone scale every week or two. Seven days in a week, seven modes. Learn a mode each day, in multiple keys, or on multiple instruments. For me, keyboards, I move around the circle of fourths, and string instruments move around the circle of fifths. That way you cover the most common keys.

ras1983 · #10 04-20-2010, 09:03 PM

Is it fair to say that training the ear is much more effective than training the brain? It seems to me that being able to sing the solos that you play (not exaclty scatting though) is a very effective way of learning new melodies and transcribing. I'm finding that the less time I focus on over-analysing music and the more time I spend on learning the different sounds and melodies that various artists use, the more musical my playing is becoming.

jmacdbass · #11 04-20-2010, 09:06 PM

major and minor scales in all keys with arpeggios, (major, relative minor, cycle of fourths)

1 octave then 2

Bassmickeyd · #12 04-20-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossesh

Hi

I have been playing bass for just over a year now and what I have problems with is finding suitable exercises to combat both the speed of the right hand and the accuracy of the fretting hand. I find it easier using a pick for fast passages but I want to be able use my fingers which I find are harder to play fast with. I would appreciate it if you could recommend any exercises you know of or use and any tips you could give me on this.

Thank you

Ross

Practice slow to be precise. Speed comes with time. Scales are hand exercises and useful for learning theory. Extended chord triads are a better exercise. Playing triads up and down the neck thru every chord type is very useful for learning the neck and training the ear.