How helpful will scales be to learn?

cnl83 · #1 12-26-2007, 07:30 PM

paullong444 · #2 12-26-2007, 07:37 PM

Learn as many scales as you can if you don't you are a mongoloid.

ras1983 · #3 12-26-2007, 07:45 PM

IMO learn the modes and how they fit end on end to create one massive scale that maps out your entire fret board, and then learn the other scales (bebop scales, diminished and half diminished, etc etc) because many of them are infact variations of the modes.

dvh · #4 12-26-2007, 07:46 PM

When you learn the scales and where they fit you are on the road to another level of bass playing. You will never think it was a waste of time.

Dave Muscato · #5 12-26-2007, 07:50 PM

Western music (all music, really) is melody, harmony, and rhythm. Western music focuses more on harmony; a lot of Eastern music focuses more on melody, and a lot of African music focuses on rhythm. Harmony is build on chord tones, which come from scales. Especially as a bass player, it is your role to "mediate" between the rhythm (drums) and the melodies (guitars, vocals, etc). You do this by creating great bass lines, which are built on rhythmic applications of scales and chord tones. If you don't know the scales and modes, it's damn near impossible to improvise bass lines. I don't really "think" in scales any more, just because they are so automatic to me, but I can't even imagine not knowing them. They are the language of Western music. As far as how helpful they would be, I would say that they will open the doors of bass to you. I can't recommend learning them highly enough.

Chazinroch · #6 12-26-2007, 07:51 PM

Scales provide the foundation for learning music theory. As a bassist some knowledge of theory is needed to understand the notes available to play under chords and with chord progressions. It's the harmony part of the bassist role, that goes along with the rhythmic element. Learn scales, and if you are taking the time to learn to read tab, it is no more effort to learn to read standard notation which is much more valuable to you as a musician. Sure you can play by ear, but sooner or later you will want to create your own bass lines and communicate to other musicians - learn the language!!

JimmyM · #7 12-26-2007, 09:07 PM

Well, you may have gotten hacked, but at least you got an answer or two

chuck stardust · #8 12-26-2007, 09:17 PM

Scales will help open the door to improvisation, which will then open the door to you finding your own voice (Or siganture). Learn what you like the most first....Blues, then learn the Minor Pentatonic. Good luck.

Chuck Stardust

cnl83 · #9 12-26-2007, 09:19 PM

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear.

MirageBass · #10 12-26-2007, 10:10 PM

I know zip theory, and figured out scales and a few modes by myself. They help immeasurably. Learn them, keep them, snuggle with them. It takes little time and the payoff is enormous.

Connor · #11 12-26-2007, 11:19 PM

very. enough said.

bassbully · #12 12-27-2007, 07:33 AM

Any good sites to go to for scale and mode theory and instruction?

dreadheadbass · #13 12-27-2007, 07:42 AM

i dont know any scales i dont even know the notes on the fretboard

mattofash · #14 12-27-2007, 08:47 AM

Everytime I play the bass I still make sure to go through a couple of basic scales, even if its just as a quick warm-up. But make sure you know the most common scales through two octaves at least

stedtale · #15 12-27-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnl83

How helpful will scales be to learn?

very

ysand · #16 12-27-2007, 08:58 AM

If u play an instrument and don't know any scales, is like driving without a license.

You don't have to learn all scales!
My advise:
-Pentatonic minor
-Ionian, Mixolydian and Locrian Modes

This will extend your bass playing in a whole new level! Not to mention your soloing!
They are easier than they seem

CapnSev · #17 12-27-2007, 09:09 AM

They're crucial!

I think it would be almost impossible to jam with someone when they say "Let's play in b minor" (or something) and you have no idea where the notes fall in a b minor scale (or whatever other scale).

Not knowing scales will make improv extemely difficult.

By far the best piece of info/theory I ever learned on the bass is the circle of 5ths/4ths and the scales that it consists of. It was a major pain in the beginning, but I use it so much now, it's like second nature to me.

bassbully · #18 12-27-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadheadbass

i dont know any scales i dont even know the notes on the fretboard

Wow! how do you play and know what to play? Do you rely on ear only? I can see you not knowing scales so much but not knowing the notes on the fretboard ? How do you communicate to other players?

bassbully · #19 12-27-2007, 11:41 AM

I use basic scales quite a bit but need to learn more on them and modes for sure.

cnl83 · #20 12-27-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

Wow! how do you play and know what to play? Do you rely on ear only? I can see you not knowing scales so much but not knowing the notes on the fretboard ? How do you communicate to other players?

Like I said, I have only been playin a year. Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBvDJ3jGLLk"scream of the butterfly bass".

I am trying to move up another level in playin bass. I just bought a new bass, and want to put it to good use. So I started reading about scales....thus my question