Common Bass scales for metal music

[papathaddy]

Hi, I'm learning some music theory and was wondering what some good bass scales for bands like Mastodon, Between the buried and me, Old Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Deftones. I'm guessing something minor and pentatonic. I just want the precise scale names to practice them. Plus is there a quick way to find the scale besides dialing notes in?

[TheBasicBassist]

For metal, I'd say the following scales/modes work well:
(As compared to a major scale)
Aeolian: 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,b7,1
Harmonic Minor: 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,7,1
Phrygian: 1,b2,b3,4,5,b6,b7,1
Locrian: 1,b2,b3,4,b5,b6,b7,1

Personally, I don't really see the metal music you're
describing as being modal in the sense of using the scales
for what they are. Said bands may be using the notes from
the scales but they don't sound modal because the tendencies
of said scales are being frustrated and can/will sound like
a rock n' roll song instead of a modal piece because of this.

There was a discussion a little while back about a band called
The Sword using the notes from a locrian nat.7 scale but the tune
sounding rock n' roll and not locrian in any sense of the mode
because of how the band acted on the notes of the mode.

[JimmyM]

yeah, even in metal that's written in locrian or phrygian, don't think modes when you play. it'll sound like you're playing scales. just go with whatever the chords and your instincts tell you.

[TheBasicBassist]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

yeah, even in metal that's written in locrian or phrygian, don't think modes when you play. it'll sound like you're playing scales. just go with whatever the chords and your instincts tell you.

+1