Beginner bassist...scales help

[rxtech]

Hi all, I'm a 39 year old bassist/guitarist and only started to play bass around a year ago on my church worsip team. While I can play the root note ok, I can't really improvise or play "busy". Now I'm not interested in slapping and popping, but could someone explain something about scales to me?
Ok, here goes...Say you start a G major scale on the low E string/3rd fret. Now do you use the same "pattern" on the 4th fret to make an G# major scale, then the same "pattern" on the 5th fret to make an A major and so on? Same question goes for the minor, too. It seems like if the're a bunch of patterns, I get ADHD and become overwhelmed. I'd like to be a better bassist, but would like some CLEAR and SIMPLE instruction to get there at first. What scales should I learn first? Also, what do bass lessons cost on average?
Thanks for any help!

[Mark Wilson]

There are different patterns, but essentially yes, you can use that same pattern up a fret, and get a major scale. Or Minor.

Practice your scales and arpeggios until you can do them watching TV, or on the phone.

Bass lessons are different depending on the teacher.
I charge 15-20 for an hour.

[Deacon_Blues]

The first scales you need to learn are major, minor and pentatonic major and minor. Learn to play the scales in as many positions as possible. Then learn the arpeggios of these. 1-2 octaves are enough to start with. As Mark said, learn them so well you don't ever have to think about how they go.

Some ear training would also be extremely helpful. Start transcribing songs (the chords are enough to start with) and play along to records. When you've developed a good ear, (i.e. approximately when you always know how the next note you are going to play will sound and that it will fit in the context) you don't have to think too much about the scales, arpeggios and chord progressions anymore, and things get a lot easier and more fun then.

Good luck!

[Mark Wilson]

While you're learning Pentatonics, learn the Blues Pattern.
Man that pattern has saved my ass a countless number of times.

[rxtech]

Any good books that you can recommend that will cover this and not a bunch of slappin' or modes...just scales?

[lowender56]

I'm a 50 year old beginner and I found a book called:

Bass Guitar Scale Manual. Published by Amsco Publications.

It has been a great help for me as I'm trying to learn by myself right now.

[Groundloop]

I learned a lot from "The Melodic Bass Library" by Jimmy Haslip.

[MammaryVest]

Learning bass through shapes and patterns???!!! Don't let Berlin see this thread!!! Yeah, learn all the shapes and "boxes" and you'll be fine.