Help with basic triad scales

nboyer941 · #1 06-02-2010, 01:39 AM

Hello, I'm trying to learn how to run my triads up and down one full octave on my 4 string bass in every key (going around the circle of fifths).

So, using solfege, my triad scale would sound like this:

do mi sol
re fa la
mi sol ti
fa la do
sol ti re
la do mi
ti re fa
do

do la fa
ti sol mi
la fa re
sol mi do
fa re ti
mi do la
re ti sol
do

My understanding is that:

1=major
2=minor
3-minor
4=major
5=major
6=minor
7=minor with a diminished 5th
8=major

I now how to play this scale in the key of "c" because I simply know the notes in the key of "c." (abcdefg).

So, now when I go to the key of "g," What is the best way to go about running this scale? Are the patterns the same? Do I need to have the notes in each key memorized?

Any help?

fearceol · #2 06-02-2010, 02:14 AM

The Major patterns are the same for all keys as are the Minor ones. You may be confusing scales and chords. While the key of C contains the notes you say, the actual order would be CDEFGAB(C) with C being 1, D is 2 etc. Chords are made up by playing every second note of a scale. For example a Major chord is 1,3,5, ( I always find it easier to think in scale numbers ) which in the key of C is C,E,G.

This site should be a big help : http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-scales/

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/

MalcolmAmos · #3 06-02-2010, 06:19 AM

Sooner or later you will want to know where every note is on your fretboard. Right now you can place your major scale pattern and the pattern then automatically places the scale notes under your fingertips.

Place the pattern root on the 3rd or 4th string. I prefer on the 3rd string then...... For the G scale place the root G on the 3rd string 10th fret. For the C scale place the C root on the 3rd string 3rd fret.
From the root note.....
Your 2 is up the neck two frets - same string.
Your 3 is up a string and back one fret.
Your 4 is up a string same fret as the root.
Your 5 is up a string and over two frets.
Your 6 is up two strings and back one fret, i.e. over the 3.
your 7 is up two strings and over one fret.
Your 8 is up two strings and over two frets, i.e. over the 5.

That same pattern is all over your fretboard. Place the root note and then find the interval you want. Put that to memory and take it to any scale you want. You want to play R-5 place the R then go up a string and over two frets for the 5. If you want to play a R-3-5-3 those intervals are waiting for you in their normal place.

Minor scales have flatted intervals use that same pattern and just flat the 3rd, 6th and 7th, i.e. 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Have fun.

JTE · #4 06-02-2010, 08:58 AM

Well, you seem to have it. Just think it through. What's the do of G? The mi? the sol? Work it out for yourself on the bass.

Here's a good way to practice these (and the key is to sing them as you play them so your ear learns the harmonized scale too).

Just play them up and down. So, in C play C E G E C, D F A F D, E G B G B, etc.

Another way to study this and get it into your thinking is to sit down and write them out. Don't look 'em up in a chart, work it out for yourself in all 12 keys.

For the key of C write out the scale...

C D E F G A B C

Then stack the thirds on top of that so you get...
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Then stack the next third on top to get the triads...
G A B C D E F G
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Now, I always carry them out to the 7ths, because that's what a lot of music uses, and the V chord's sound is and function is predicated on the 7th being there...

B C D E F G A B
G A B C D E F G
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Now, work it out for yourself in G. And in Ab, and F#, etc.

John

nboyer941 · #5 06-02-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Sooner or later you will want to know where every note is on your fretboard. Right now you can place your major scale pattern and the pattern then automatically places the scale notes under your fingertips.

Place the pattern root on the 3rd or 4th string. I prefer on the 3rd string then...... For the G scale place the root G on the 3rd string 10th fret. For the C scale place the C root on the 3rd string 3rd fret.
From the root note.....
Your 2 is up the neck two frets - same string.
Your 3 is up a string and back one fret.
Your 4 is up a string same fret as the root.
Your 5 is up a string and over two frets.
Your 6 is up two strings and back one fret, i.e. over the 3.
your 7 is up two strings and over one fret.
Your 8 is up two strings and over two frets, i.e. over the 5.

That same pattern is all over your fretboard. Place the root note and then find the interval you want. Put that to memory and take it to any scale you want. You want to play R-5 place the R then go up a string and over two frets for the 5. If you want to play a R-3-5-3 those intervals are waiting for you in their normal place.

Minor scales have flatted intervals use that same pattern and just flat the 3rd, 6th and 7th, i.e. 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Have fun.

Thank you, but this does not tell me anything I didn't know. I know how to play the major scale in any key....I know that pattern is interchangeable.

Also, I can play the triads all the way up. Where I am having trouble is coming back down. (the 3rd and 5th are lower notes than the root)

So, coming back down, the first one is do la fa. The la and the fa are lower notes than the do and fa is actually the root.

I hope you are following me.

LM Bass · #6 06-02-2010, 09:07 AM

Many students I teach come from countries where "Do" is always the pitch C.
This is "fixed do". In our opinion, and in most of North America, we use "moveable do"
where "do" is the tonic of whatever key you are in. So when you switch to the key of G, call G "do". A is "re", B is "mi" etc.

The BEST way to learn harmony on your instrument is to use solfege, and sing the pitches using solfege syllables BEFORE you play them. Name the notes before you play them too. Don't over-focus on the fingerboard or the fret number, but fingerboard diagrams might help you find notes at first. Malcolm's tips are very helpful in that regard.

http://www.musictheory.net is a great resource for learning about music.
(no connection to me)
best regards,
Laurence

nboyer941 · #7 06-02-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Well, you seem to have it. Just think it through. What's the do of G? The mi? the sol? Work it out for yourself on the bass.

Here's a good way to practice these (and the key is to sing them as you play them so your ear learns the harmonized scale too).

Just play them up and down. So, in C play C E G E C, D F A F D, E G B G B, etc.

Another way to study this and get it into your thinking is to sit down and write them out. Don't look 'em up in a chart, work it out for yourself in all 12 keys.

For the key of C write out the scale...

C D E F G A B C

Then stack the thirds on top of that so you get...
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Then stack the next third on top to get the triads...
G A B C D E F G
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Now, I always carry them out to the 7ths, because that's what a lot of music uses, and the V chord's sound is and function is predicated on the 7th being there...

B C D E F G A B
G A B C D E F G
E F G A B C D E
C D E F G A B C

Now, work it out for yourself in G. And in Ab, and F#, etc.

John

Thanks John. I will probably just write it out for each key (firguiring out the do, re, mi, ect for each).

This is how i figured out how to come down the scale in the key of C.

LM Bass · #8 06-02-2010, 09:09 AM

P.S. the 7th triad is B diminished -like a minor triad with a b5.

Minor keys start with "La". Harmonic minor uses a raised 7th degree -you can sing "Si" instead of "raised So" there.

JTE · #9 06-02-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nboyer941

Also, I can play the triads all the way up. Where I am having trouble is coming back down. (the 3rd and 5th are lower notes than the root)

I don't think of them that way. It's just notes. The I triad in G is G B D, and when I'm playing them I start with the lowest note that's in the chord, and play up until I run out of room, then descend. So, on my 4-string I start with the G on the 3rd fret, and repeat G B D all the way up to the tiny frets up high on the G string, then come down, just hitting those notes.

Then I move to the ii chord (in G that's Amin, or A C E). So, I'll play E (the lowest note of the triad on my 4-string), A C E A C etc. up and down. If I'm using my 5-string my lowest note obviously changes. I'm NOT playing this stuff root to root, but I'm thinking "5 1 3 5 1 3 5" etc.

John

mambo4 · #10 06-02-2010, 02:29 PM

a couple quick thoughts:
Memorizing the note names of chords is easy if you memorize bass and / or treble clef.

Also, taking JTE's suggestion further: Instead of playing your triads "up" the scale try playign through all of them within a single position, always using the lowest notes available, inverting as necessary.

MalcolmAmos · #11 06-05-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nboyer941

Thank you, but this does not tell me anything I didn't know. I know how to play the major scale in any key....I know that pattern is interchangeable. Also, I can play the triads all the way up. Where I am having trouble is coming back down. (the 3rd and 5th are lower notes than the root) So, coming back down, the first one is do la fa. The la and the fa are lower notes than the do and fa is actually the root.
I hope you are following me.

A thought unlossened -- Our bass is a three octave instrument. Place your pattern on the root of the 2nd octave -- starting in the middle octave all three are now ready for you.

Lithius · #12 06-06-2010, 01:22 AM

your pattern says you are playing this....
Cmaj, Dm , Em , Fmaj , Gmaj , Am , Bdim , ROOT
C E G, D F A, E G B, F A C, G B D, A C E, B D F, C
but then you have changed to this

C A F, B G E, A F D, G E C, F D B, E C A, D B G, C

you have shifted your scale along tho you still end with a C no change in mode or scale
let us know if those arent the notes you're playing