Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method

[Hulktopus]

Originally Posted by Jason Carota

Ah, very cool. I think I will add this to my normal practice routine.

As of now, this IS my practice routine. Thanks, Pacman!

[jp58]

I saw a variation that Scott does on his page:

http://scottsbasslessons.com/techniq...ss-scales.html

Instead of learning just the shapes, he's trying to help you know where all the notes in a scale are on the entire neck of the bass.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by jp58

I saw a variation that Scott does on his page:

http://scottsbasslessons.com/techniq...ss-scales.html

Instead of learning just the shapes, he's trying to help you know where all the notes in a scale are on the entire neck of the bass.

As does this method. This is NOT about the shapes, but about the sounds of each note, especially how it relates to harmony.

[OneMoreRobot]

Wow, this is the first time in a long time that I've practiced and put the bass away knowing I learned something that will stick with me and help me. Bookmarked this page and will be returning every day. Thanks, This definitely makes it a lot easier learning the fretboard.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

The thread has been cleaned of off topic bickering and banter. A note to all users: if you see something that you find offensive and/or feel is or should be against site rules, please report whatever it is to the moderators rather than commenting on it in a confrontational manner in the forums - the latter approach always makes matters worse. Reporting is the way to go.

And now, for more about the sure-fire scale method...

[lucam]

Thanks a lot Chris, this thread has just been added to my favorites! :-)

[etoncrow]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

...And now, for more about the sure-fire scale method...

Thanks, Chris

[BullHorn]

What level of experience/knowledge is required to perform this practice method? I'm clueless about theory/scales/positions, I can only figure stuff from hearing and hit&miss my way on the bass until I get the right notes. It's been way too long, I need to learn this.

[bThumper38]

I think the "Bass Grimoire" book covers this concept in a similar fashion, that book is biblical.

[Samsquanch1972]

[quote=Richard Lindsey;1907479]Only thing is, the nomenclature for the intervals is a little confusing the way you have it. It's kind of a mix between two systems.

One system is to have 1 through 7 represent the intervals of a major scale, then just note changes to those intervals. Thus:

C# major = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

C# natural minor (aeolian) = 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7


Does any one know of a good book or site that shows the above method of relating other scales back to the major scale for all the modes, and scales. I love your practice method Pacman. My goal is to do your method in all the modes and minor scales and blues scales and whatever else scales I can find for memorization first. Then find the corresponding chords and arpeggios that relate to the scale in the Nashville Notation System. I hope I am making sense. Basically trying to build a condensed the easist numeric system of charomatic scale intervals for all the common scales and what chords go along with the intervals.
Like Major Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Major Chords I ii iii IV V vi viidim VII
Dorian Scale yadda yadda
Dorian Scale Chords yadda yadda
Thanks

[Samsquanch1972]

[quote=Samsquanch1972;13863555]

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

Only thing is, the nomenclature for the intervals is a little confusing the way you have it. It's kind of a mix between two systems.

One system is to have 1 through 7 represent the intervals of a major scale, then just note changes to those intervals. Thus:

C# major = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

C# natural minor (aeolian) = 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7


Does any one know of a good book or site that shows the above method of relating other scales back to the major scale for all the modes, and scales. I love your practice method Pacman. My goal is to do your method in all the modes and minor scales and blues scales and whatever else scales I can find for memorization first. Then find the corresponding chords and arpeggios that relate to the scale in the Nashville Notation System. I hope I am making sense. Basically trying to build a condensed the easist numeric system of charomatic scale intervals for all the common scales and what chords go along with the intervals.
Like Major Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Major Chords I ii iii IV V vi viidim VII
Dorian Scale yadda yadda
Dorian Scale Chords yadda yadda
Thanks

Found it for modes, figured I would post, and the Edly's Theory Book I have and love has the matching chords.
http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/modes.htm

[adivin]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

The thread has been cleaned of off topic bickering and banter. A note to all users: if you see something that you find offensive and/or feel is or should be against site rules, please report whatever it is to the moderators rather than commenting on it in a confrontational manner in the forums - the latter approach always makes matters worse. Reporting is the way to go.

And now, for more about the sure-fire scale method...

Wait, what did I miss? How could this topic be offensive?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by adivin

Wait, what did I miss? How could this topic be offensive?

This topic wasn't - but the off topic was.

[jp58]

Originally Posted by Pacman

As does this method. This is NOT about the shapes, but about the sounds of each note, especially how it relates to harmony.

At first glance, and some oversight on my part, it looked like you both were saying the same thing. After practicing both ways for a while, I've realized they are both very different and beneficial.

Still a long road ahead, but I'm beginning to grasp how knowing both the boxes and the harmony of a scale is important.

[ProgRocker]

While I agree it is important to know what a Major 3rd sounds like, once you internalize the notes of a given scale (C Major for example), you'll know that E is the third degree of that scale. I prefer to run through the modes, arpeggios, and other scales.

The degrees of scales can also be learned by practicing intervals (M2, M3, Perfect 4, Perfect 5th and so on.) I think once the notes are learned, the "function" will come naturally. It just seems like you're trying to reinvent the wheel.

Personally, I found playing Major and minor Pentatonic scales, arpeggios, intervals and other scales (Major, minor, blues, etc) to be invaluable in learning the fretboard, notes and function. Just my opinion.

[chetonetwo]

Originally Posted by Pacman

I’d like to share with you the method I believe is the best way to not only practice scales, but to learn the fingerboard of your bass, and really start getting your ears together. This is the method taught to me by my teacher and I want to share it with all of you. This method applies to all electric basses, regardless of the number of strings. For the examples, however, we’ll use the 4-string configuration. Additionally, all examples will be in the key of C major, but it is very important to practice these exercises in all keys once you’ve gotten the concept down.

One of the problems I think many people run into with scales is that they practice them from root to root. That is, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 and then maybe 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. While this is a perfectly acceptable way to learn and practice scales, it’s not a) practical or b) musical. I say practice your scales from the lowest note on your bass to the highest. Let’s begin with C major. I’ll spell out a C major scale and show the note “function” or number beneath:

C 1
D 2
E 3
F 4
G 5
A 6
B 7
C 8(1)

So in C, the lowest available note in the 4-string is the open E string, which we can see is the 3rd of the scale. Start with the E and play E (the 3rd) F (the 4th) and G (the 5th) on the E string. Continuing the C major scale on the next string, play A (the 6th) B (the 7th) and C (the root). Still going up, play the open D (the 2nd) E (the 3rd) and F (the 4th). On the G-string play G (the 5th) A (the 6th) and B (the 7th). Come back down the scale the same way. I find that it helps if you say or sing the note function (number) as you play it. This gets the sound of each note in your head. It’s far more important to understand what the 3rd of a major scale sounds like, for instance, than to recognize an E when you hear it.

The second “box” will start with the lowest F on the 4 string. Continuing in C major, you’d play F, G, and A on the E string, B, C, and D on the A string, E, F, and G on the D string and A, B and C on the G-string. Remember to sing or say the scale numbers to really get the sound of the harmony in your head.

The third “box” starts on the low G. G, A, and B on the E string. C, D and E on the A string. F, G and A on the D. B, C and D on the G-string. Continue moving these “boxes” up the neck in this manner. I generally practice this up one octave from where I started and then come back down again. If you do this, you’ll notice patterns emerge (hint: there are only 3. Ever. No matter what.)

You can (and should) practice any and all scales and modes in this fashion. My suggestion is that once you’ve gotten this concept down you practice all your “C” scales and modes on one day, the next day all of your “C#” scales. Then your “D” scales, etc, etc. If you practice in this manner, your knowledge of keys will grow equally and even the tough keys won’t bother you.

Thanks for reading.

thanks a lot ill definently give this a go !!!

[chetonetwo]

thanks this sounds like a cool way to get my ears around scales , cheers !!!!

[jmaestro]

Thanks a lot, Pacman. I've been doing this (just in C) for two weeks and I have noticed a tremendous difference already.