Scale Practice variations

[ZachAttack]

So i saw the Jaco Modern Electric bass video, and the patitucci video, and i dicided to upgrade my scale practice methods. So what i think im going to do, is blend the 2. Im going to play a chord on paino, sing the arpeggio, and play various scales in differant variations over the chord, then solo in the scales.

So i was wondering if this is a good way to go about it, and are there any places online where i can find a list of chord/scale relationships, like what scales you can play over the differant chords i'll run into. and differant variations for scales, like 3rds, 4ths, ect.. and broken 3rds 4ths 5ths ect.. and like 3rd+2nd, and 3rd+4th, and things like that.. i've come up with a few on my own. Just wondering if there is a big list of ideas.

[ZachAttack]

Im more of looking for a scale/chord relationship thing.. like what scales to play over what chords.
the practice variations i can come up with on my own i think

[christoph h.]

i'm not sure how useful the idea of 1:1 scale/chord relationships is, but knowledge never hurts, so here it is:

http://teinum.no/alexander/Table_of_Note_Choice.pdf

there's an explanation at the end.

[ZachAttack]

if this isnt a very good way to practice soloing over chords, any ideas as to a better way?

[Antman3820]

Go to this link.........great stuff here.....What you are probably looking for is the Nomenclature PDF file found on the link. The abersold playalong stuff is good too.

http://aebersold.com/Merchant2/merch...Code=_HANDBOOK

Here was a practice routine, that I did in about a year on my 5 string bass:

Starting on C Ionian Mode play the scale all the way across the strings til I ran out of notes and back again.

starting on all the different places you find C, where you can go up at least an Octave, without moving out of position. Starting on your 1st finger.Then the Position starting on your 2nd finger then the 4th finger........

I would run the intervals 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th.....up and down .........then the same intervals connected up and down..........Then I would do the arpegios 1-3-5...................1-2-5.......................1-4-5.................. at about 50 bps.


Then I would go to D dorian same concept at 60 bps..........and on ward..........

Was a real pain, but I can see the neck alot better and improvise with greater ease........Good luck

[christoph h.]

Originally Posted by ZachAttack

if this isnt a very good way to practice soloing over chords, any ideas as to a better way?

hm. this isn't so easy to answer.

i guess what it comes down to is what you want to be able to do.
to me, the ability to improvise ultimately boils down to the ability to "play what you hear in your head". the words have become a cliché, but in the end i think it's true.

so when practicing scales, etc., the goal is not only to learn "i can play this over that" but to help your "ear / mind / hand - connection". you have to learn the sound of a certain scale against a certain harmony, not the fact that you can play it in that context.

an important part of this is singing the scales/arpeggios while playing them and even singing them away from the instrument.
do this in all variations of practice.

try singing an improvised line, then playing it - with or without accompaniment.

transcription is also an important part of this process.

[steveb98]

I think what you are talking about doing is good. What I might add to your scale practice is working on the basic scale on one and two strings. Play a major scale on one string, play it on two strings. This helps in working in shifting positiion smoothly. Which is good for soloing and walking lines. Then exand this and work on two octave scales. Know how to play scales on one or two strings will help here. Doing this you discover a lot of ways to navagate the neck in a scale or mode.