Noobie questions of the year ...

[Crit222]

Well, I have to admit Talkbass ... I'm a bit of a newbie. I've only been playing for about 3 years, and consider myself a little bit below mediocre. I thought I'd come to this website to learn some stuff, and learn some stuff I have! It's very informative and I really do enjoy it ... but there is some stuff that goes ... well ... way over my head. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask some questions on what this lingo means.

#1 What is a head? I hear that word thrown around a lot.

#2 Is it bad to mainly use pentatonic scales as your fills? (If so, throw me some suggestions on what to practice on!)

#3 (This one may be worded oddly...if you don't understand, feel free to ask me to rephrase) What is say, a minor third? or a major fifth? Those are just examples, but what do they mean?

I hear those words thrown around A LOT! I think I have an idea of what it is, the number representing the part of the scale, but I'm not sure why you tag minor or major or diminished or augmented on the end of it.

#4 I can't seem to get a handle on understand basic rhythm! I know how to keep it, but theory wise I have difficulty understanding it! For instance, what does the bottom number represent? I know the top is four beats per measure, but what's the bottom?

#5 How do you count beats that have been divided a lot? I have difficulty counting and determining what note is being used in very fast tempo songs. (Say, sixteenth of a note as an example, or anything faster)

#6 What do you play in a song that has no key or multiple keys?

#7 What are intervals? (Explain this well!)

...And I think that's about it. Thanks for the answers!

[Hactar]

Hi, welcome to TB!
I'll answer #1, and let the rest be sorted out by others more knowledgeable than I.

A "head" refers to the part of a bass rig that amplifies the signal. They are those boxy bits on top of the speaker cabinets that have all the knobs.
Examples:

EDIT: In addition, "head" can refer to the beginning of a piece of music. (typically used in jazz)

[kreider204]

1) It depends on the context. The head can be a part of an amplifier, the part that contains the amp and preamp, and is paired with one or more speakers. It can also refer to the introductory melody in a jazz tune.

2) It depends on the kind of music you're playing. There's nothing wrong with pentatonics per se, they just might not always fit the song.

3) These are examples of intervals between notes. For example, if you sing the old "do re mi fa so la ti do" major scale, the interval between do and so is a perfect / major fifth.

4) The bottom number is the kind of note that you are counting. For example 4/4 means four quarter notes per measure.

5) Lots of practice.

6) Few songs have no key at all, though they may change key as they go along. If a song has no key, then it's probably some avant guard experimental song - and then you can play whatever you want.

[mixamatchi]

I'll answer #2. No, it's not bad to mainly use the pentatonic scale for your fills. There is a reason it sounds appropriate. Most popular music is blues based, even when you may think it has no relation whatsoever. Every genre of western music has blues represented. That's one reason we all gravitate towards the pentatonic scale. It's familiar. You're not going to be praised for your originality, but people will feel like they know your tune. As a beginning bassist, don't worry about fills and chops. Those things will work themselves out. Worry about groove. You will have to put the time in playing with others to know what I mean. I don't mean just tempo, or reading. Your audience only knows if it feels good, or it doesn't. When you make it feel good, you can do whatever you want.

[tnickk]

Sounds like a music theory book might be useful to you.

[MonkeyBass]

Originally Posted by tnickk

Sounds like a music theory book might be useful to you.

Yep.

Nothing beats hittin' the books.

[MRDOOM]

#1: A head is a term used for an object that is both a power amp and pre-amp that powers a speaker cabinet.
#2:No, do what sounds right to you, learning other scales isn't bad idea though.
#3: words like minor and major apply to the quality of a note in a scale or key. The term "minor" is applied to any note in a scale that has been lowered half a step. The term diminished is applied to any note that has been lowered a full step, and an augmented note is a note that has been risen by half a step.This is confusing at first but doesnt really take long to learn
#4: The number at the bottom of a time signature refers to what kind of note you are counting. 4/4 means 4 quaternotes per measure, 6/8 refers to 6 eighthnotes per measure.(In case you're wondering, no, the fractions are not reduced).
#5: It just takes practice and experimentation.
#6:Most songs that sound good are in some sort of key, sometimes its just hard to figure out. If you cant figure out what key it is, just do your best to harmonize with everyone else.

[MalcolmAmos]

I'll just add something on "Head". Play the head can refer to the tune or the repetitive main phrase used in an instrumental piece.

........I hear those words thrown around A LOT! I think I have an idea of what it is, the number representing the part of the scale, but I'm not sure why you tag minor or major or diminished or augmented on the end of it.

I'll add this on #3.

• Major normally means there is a natural 3rd involved. R-2-3-5-6 is the Major Pentatonic. R-3-5-7 is the chord tones of the Cmaj7 chord.
• Minor normally means there is a flatted 3rd involved. R-b3-4-5-b7 is the minor pentatonic R-b3-5-b7 is the chord tones for the Cm7 chord.
• Diminished means the 5th note is flatted, i.e. b5. You will see things like Bm7b5 that is the 7th or diminished chord in the C major scale/key. A 7 note scale will have 3 major chords, 3 minor chords and 1 diminished chord.
• Augmented means the 5th note is raised or sharped, i.e. #5.
• It's just "theory talk" (shorthand) used when talking to each other.

This may help: http://www.smithfowler.org/music/Chord_Formulas.htm

Good luck and welcome.

[Papa Dangerous]

I'll take a stab at this one too!

Originally Posted by Crit222

Well, I have to admit Talkbass ... I'm a bit of a newbie. I've only been playing for about 3 years, and consider myself a little bit below mediocre. I thought I'd come to this website to learn some stuff, and learn some stuff I have! It's very informative and I really do enjoy it ... but there is some stuff that goes ... well ... way over my head. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask some questions on what this lingo means.

#1 What is a head? I hear that word thrown around a lot.

#2 Is it bad to mainly use pentatonic scales as your fills? (If so, throw me some suggestions on what to practice on!)

#3 (This one may be worded oddly...if you don't understand, feel free to ask me to rephrase) What is say, a minor third? or a major fifth? Those are just examples, but what do they mean?

I hear those words thrown around A LOT! I think I have an idea of what it is, the number representing the part of the scale, but I'm not sure why you tag minor or major or diminished or augmented on the end of it.

#4 I can't seem to get a handle on understand basic rhythm! I know how to keep it, but theory wise I have difficulty understanding it! For instance, what does the bottom number represent? I know the top is four beats per measure, but what's the bottom?

#5 How do you count beats that have been divided a lot? I have difficulty counting and determining what note is being used in very fast tempo songs. (Say, sixteenth of a note as an example, or anything faster)

#6 What do you play in a song that has no key or multiple keys?

...And I think that's about it. Thanks for the answers!

1) All aforementioned are correct. But no one mentioned that a head could be the headstock on the bass. The top piece where the tuning pegs are located.

2) Nothing wrong with a comfort zone. But when you are getting too comfortable, branch out and learn something new. Do it when you are ready... you will know!

3) Minor, Major, Augmented and Diminished describe chord quality. There are certain formulas that say how to make these chords. However one of the most important ways to identify is by your ear. Not easy, but plausible if you listen. These chords play a very important role in chord progressions. I will not explain it... it was difficult at first. In learning theory... I have come to notice that the hardest part is the very beginning. The process of trying to wrap your mind around how it works. Very tricky at first! But once you get that down... SO much falls into place... Once everything is in place.. be prepared to get shook up again

4) Everyone answered this well. Beats/beats per measure. GET A METRONOME! Learn to clap the clicks. Than learn to clap every other click! Learn to clap BETWEEN the clicks. Randomly make up rhythms in your head.. "1, 2, 3, 4" That is a specific way to count a specific time signature. That is 4/4. ONE two three, ONE, two, three, ONE, two three, ONE two three... that is 3/4. It has a waltz feel. (Waltz is in 3/4!)

Check this site out! Time Signatures

5) Feel it out. as I described in the waltz... the one is very heavy. Rhythm is not easy. My weakest area when I was studying theory. It helps to know how to really read the music. You will get it!

6)I do not know what you mean. Atonal music has no key. A song with a modulation can multiple keys in it. I would imagine he tonic, focal center point, or what your ear wants. If you want to find out what key a song is in... look for a key signature (series of # or b symbols will tell you - generally!) Also, look at the very last chord of the piece of music. Most times, that is the key of the piece! Do not rely on the first chord of the piece, it can easily and many times is a "pick up!"

[Tupac]

To be more specific about the time signatures, the bottom number is how many beats a whole note is worth, and the top number is how many beats in a measure.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Crit222

#5 I have difficulty counting and determining what note is being used in very fast tempo songs. (Say, sixteenth of a note as an example, or anything faster)

Try some slow downer software. Best Practice is free and works well.

[major10th]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Diminished means the 5th note is flatted, i.e. b5. You will see things like Bm7b5 that is the 7th or diminished chord in the C major scale/key. A 7 note scale will have 3 major chords, 3 minor chords and 1 diminished chord.

Hi MalcolmAmos:

Just a minor clarification that Bm7b5 is actually a half-diminished 7th chord. (i.e. minor 3rd, diminished 5th, and minor 7th).

[wemmick]

11 replies and nobody has yet given the standard answer around here to these questions...

Go to Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com. There's a whole lot of good stuff there that will help - scales, intervals, rhythm and more.

[kreider204]

Originally Posted by wemmick

11 replies and nobody has yet given the standard answer around here to these questions...

"Do a search"?

[bassplayerbob]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Try some slow downer software. Best Practice is free and works well.

Great program. I also use to learn songs that are tuned down a half step, I just bring it up in the program!

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by MRDOOM

#1: A head is a term used for an object that is both a power amp and pre-amp that powers a speaker cabinet.
#2:No, do what sounds right to you, learning other scales isn't bad idea though.
#3: words like minor and major apply to the quality of a note in a scale or key. The term "minor" is applied to any note in a scale that has been lowered half a step. The term diminished is applied to any note that has been lowered a full step, and an augmented note is a note that has been risen by half a step.This is confusing at first but doesnt really take long to learn
#4: The number at the bottom of a time signature refers to what kind of note you are counting. 4/4 means 4 quaternotes per measure, 6/8 refers to 6 eighthnotes per measure.(In case you're wondering, no, the fractions are not reduced).
#5: It just takes practice and experimentation.
#6:Most songs that sound good are in some sort of key, sometimes its just hard to figure out. If you cant figure out what key it is, just do your best to harmonize with everyone else.

Whoa now, on #3--diminished refers to any perfect interval that is lowered one half-step. It also refers to any major interval, particularly a major seventh that has been lowered a whole-step. (eg--in the key of C , B is the major seventh, Bb is a minor seventh, and Bbb is a diminished seventh--same note as A natural, but called Bbb). What has been done to the major seventh scale tone determines whether a chord is half-diminished or full diminished. C-Eb-Gb-Bb = Cm7b5 (half-diminished). C-Eb-Gb-Bbb = C dim.7 (full dimished).

Confused yet? LOL, sorry, it takes time to get a handle on some of this.

On an interesting note (pardon the pun), all the notes in a full-diminished chord are the same distance apart (a minor third), so you can name the chord by any of the notes, although most name it by whatever notes is the lowest. (eg--Eb-Gb-Bbb-C can be called Eb dim.7--same notes as above, but with Eb on bottom).

[Crit222]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Whoa now, on #3--diminished refers to any perfect interval that is lowered one half-step. It also refers to any major interval, particularly a major seventh that has been lowered a whole-step. (eg--in the key of C , B is the major seventh, Bb is a minor seventh, and Bbb is a diminished seventh--same note as A natural, but called Bbb). What has been done to the major seventh scale tone determines whether a chord is half-diminished or full diminished. C-Eb-Gb-Bb = Cm7b5 (half-diminished). C-Eb-Gb-Bbb = C dim.7 (full dimished).

Confused yet? LOL, sorry, it takes time to get a handle on some of this.

On an interesting note (pardon the pun), all the notes in a full-diminished chord are the same distance apart (a minor third), so you can name the chord by any of the notes, although most name it by whatever notes is the lowest. (eg--Eb-Gb-Bbb-C can be called Eb dim.7--same notes as above, but with Eb on bottom).

O.o ?! ... See, I don't get anything you just said. I think it's intervals I don't get ...so with that said ...#7! What are intervals? And explain it to me as if I we're five.

[finfrocka]

Originally Posted by Crit222

O.o ?! ... See, I don't get anything you just said. I think it's intervals I don't get ...so with that said ...#7! What are intervals? And explain it to me as if I we're five.

simply put, an interval is just referring to a note in the scale. The C major scale is CDEFGAB. There are 7 notes in a major scale. Each note is assigned a number. C being 1 (or I) D being 2 (or II) and so forth. So if you are playing in the key of c major and you are asked to play a major third, you would play an E because that is the 3rd note in the scale.

[Papa Dangerous]

Originally Posted by finfrocka

simply put, an interval is just referring to a note in the scale. The C major scale is CDEFGAB. There are 7 notes in a major scale. Each note is assigned a number. C being 1 (or I) D being 2 (or II) and so forth. So if you are playing in the key of c major and you are asked to play a major third, you would play an E because that is the 3rd note in the scale.

Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong Too many errors.

What you are describing are scale.degrees not intervals. They are close concepts, but different. Confusing them can be bad...

In musical theory, there are 12 tones.

A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab.

Essentially, each time you move up or down from one tone to another, that is equivalent to an interval.

If you are playing the note F (not in the key of F... Just playing F) an interval of one up would be F#/Gb Likewise, a movement of one down is E (could be Fb but that is a long story).

So in the scales there are 7 different notes. (that means 5 notes are omitted if we have a total of 12 tones/pitches). The reason they are omitted is because there is a certain formula of steps and half steps used to make a scale. Also, each letter is.only used once. So if you have a C, there will not be a Cb or C#.


Anyways. We have 12 tones, and that means we have 12 intervals. Each interval has a quality to it, and these qualities are used to build scales and chords. Lemme show you the intervals first... Be sure to count the first letter as 0. Intervals are measurements of movement by means of semi tones... So the first note is 0 since there is no movement.

P= Perfect
M= Major
m= minor
A= augmented
d= diminished
*These describe quality.

0= P1
1= A1, m2
2= M2
3= A2, m3
4= M3
5= P4
6= A4, d5
7= P5
8= A5, m6
9= M6, d7
10= A6, m7
11= M7
12= P8

Although not really looked at this way, you can say that a Major scale consists of 0,2,4,5,7,9,11,12.

As incorrectly described above, the poster was referring to scale degrees. Scale degrees are typically 1-8 using Roman numerals. Capital means major, lower case means minor. There are also other symbols to describe augmented (+) and diminished (a degree symbol - think temperature and the symbol next to the degree [a small circle..]).

It is more effective to learn the scales by means of the scale degrees rather than intervals. It is great to understand intervals, but you have to get them to know how to apply it.

Major and minor scales will share some common intervals and scale degrees. The root (I) to octave (VIII) will always be the same distance on the fretboard. The root to dominant (a perfect fifth), and a couple of others.

If you are in G (E string, 3rd fret) (or any key really) and you play one string down, and two frets over (in this case A,5) that is a perfect fifth. Always will be in standard tuning. (This movement will always be known as a fifth, but will not always bring you to the fifth scale degree, UNLESS you start on the root.) If you move one string down again (D,5) that is the octave, and always will be in standard tuning. Now all you have to do is figure out whether to play major or minor third and you have a chord.

Confused? Good.. that means you are on your way. It's not easy just to read and understand. You have to look at few different writings on the topic and try to apply the ideas. Writing it down (yea with pen and paper) always helped me.

It's not easy to grasp at first. Do plenty of reading on the topic. Check out Wikipedia, studybass.com and ask on here. You will get it.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by finfrocka

simply put, an interval is just referring to a note in the scale. The C major scale is CDEFGAB. There are 7 notes in a major scale. Each note is assigned a number. C being 1 (or I) D being 2 (or II) and so forth. So if you are playing in the key of c major and you are asked to play a major third, you would play an E because that is the 3rd note in the scale.

Right, and from there the next step is to alter those intervals up or down.

1,4,and 5 are called perfect the way they are in the major scale.
2,3,6, and 7 are called major the way they are in the major scale.
Raise any of them 1/2-step and it is called augmented.
Lower a perfect one and it is diminished.
Lower a major one and it is minor.
Lower a major one twice and it is called diminished (why, I dunno).
Lower a perfect one twice and it is doubly diminished, but you don't ever see that.

Basically, you could say an interval is the distance between two notes (harmonically, not like on a ruler).