How to learn scales

[Jezz8me]

I just don't get it i know the major pentatonic and blues scale but i don't get the major and minor and how to do them in different modes and stuff. i can read standard notation but i don't know where the notes are on the fretboard

any help?

[tjh]

everthing starts with the Major scale ... I find it helpful to think it terms of what changes from it ... such as minor flats the third, etc ... if you know the Major and minor, it makes the rest a whole lot easier, just by keeping track of what gets flatted/sharped/or even omitted in terms of pentatonic ... dont get hung up on modes until you get your basic scales, and intervals (numbers) down ... modes still drive me nutz

[Jezz8me]

i cant find a major or minor scale that doesn't just say the notes so i either need it in tab form or i need a diagram explaining what notes are where

[Glider]

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

i cant find a major or minor scale that doesn't just say the notes so i either need it in tab form or i need a diagram explaining what notes are where

This place might help

http://rockbass-beginnertoproinfourweeks.com/

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

i cant find a major or minor scale that doesn't just say the notes so i either need it in tab form or i need a diagram explaining what notes are where

It doesn't seem that you're going to be able to figure this out on your own so I would strongly suggest that you find a teacher. One on One instruction will definitely help you a great deal. If you can't find a teacher then perhaps a book with an instructional video (like Ed Friedland's Bass Method published by Hal Leonard)

http://www.musicdispatch.com/item_de...rd+bass+method

[Scottgun]

Originally Posted by Freddels

It doesn't seem that you're going to be able to figure this out on your own so I would strongly suggest that you find a teacher. One on One instruction will definitely help you a great deal. If you can't find a teacher then perhaps a book with an instructional video (like Ed Friedland's Bass Method published by Hal Leonard)

http://www.musicdispatch.com/item_de...rd+bass+method

+1 I would rather have had bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails than to have tried to teach myself theory. Find a teacher or audit a class.

As far as actually practicing scales, there is lots of controversy over this. One camp says arpeggios are more important and you can dispense with scales, the other camp says you should be practing every conceivable scale for hours a day. I tend to think the truth is somewhere in the middle.


Scott

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by Freddels

It doesn't seem that you're going to be able to figure this out on your own so I would strongly suggest that you find a teacher. One on One instruction will definitely help you a great deal. If you can't find a teacher then perhaps a book with an instructional video (like Ed Friedland's Bass Method published by Hal Leonard)

http://www.musicdispatch.com/item_de...rd+bass+method

I have this book, usefull to learn how to read charts but useless for scales; it doesn't even mention them.

This: http://store.miswag.com/bafrba.html is better book to learn scale and the fretboard.

Finding a good teacher is extremely hard; they are tons of teachers, but few are very good. A good teacher will help you find and define your own style and move forward with it, he will work with you, not against you; a bad one will force feed how they do things on you, which might be completely wrong for you.

[fcleff]

If you really want to learn scales and your fingerboard then get a classical method book. Simandl New Method Vol. 1. It is scale/arpeggio heaven.

[Jezz8me]

thanks im starting lessons on Thursday but the teacher is primarily a guitarist gulp but it the most convenient guy i can find.

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

thanks im starting lessons on Thursday but the teacher is primarily a guitarist gulp but it the most convenient guy i can find.

Does he know the notes on the instrument and some theory? Can he read music? If so, then he should be fine. I studied with a guitarist many years ago (not b/c there weren't any bass teachers) b/c he was one of the best musicians around at the time.

Good luck. Practice!

[Snerek]

i read this whole thread and didnt find any of those links to be that helpful..


try this link

http://www.angelfire.com/id/bass/


(i'm currently going through the same problem, i'm trying to find some new scales and i'm having a hard time reading them online) plus you wonder if these are accurate.

[steveb98]

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

i cant find a major or minor scale that doesn't just say the notes so i either need it in tab form or i need a diagram explaining what notes are where

You don' t know where the notes are on your neck? If you know a C Major scale is C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C you should be able to find those notes on your instrument. No, you might not come up with the best fingering pattern, but you can play the scale. Learn to think for yourself and not feel you have to run to mama tab for your answers.

Yes, there are recommend scale fingering and learning a couple for major and minor will help not so much learn scales, but learn some common scale patterns so coming up with your own later will be easier. Part of learning to play is to come up with ways finger things, but cause most music doesn't come with fingering suggestions you have to find your own way. Use tab as a last resort and only use it for a possible fingering.

As someone else said learn the major scale first. Then it can be your point of reference for learning other scales, by just learning the notes that change.