Yes to a teacher, however, if that is out of the question try the following: You need to know how to hold your instrument, how to tune it, how to mute it and then there is the age old questions about using your fingers, thumb or a pick. Those books mentioned will get into that. Back to Scales.......
Scales to get your fingers moving and you ear recognizing the good notes from the bad, but, yes most of what we do is play chord tones - notes of the chord. Right now think of it this way scales for melody and chords for accompaniment. You can use scale patterns or chord patterns in your playing - why not get both into muscle memory. You want to use the C major scale - you've put that into muscle memory - just ask your fingers to get started. You want to play the notes of the C major chord - you've put that into muscle memory also - just ask your fingers to get started. Yes there is a lot of basic "stuff" you need to get in your gig bag. Not a step for a stepper, let's get started.
Most pop, rock or country songs use the major I, IV, V7 chords with a ii or vi minor chord thrown in for color and flavor. Makes since to me that you have those chord patterns in muscle memory.
Chord progression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -- Scroll down to Three-chord progressions and start from there. If you need help with what that I IV V7 stuff is just ask.
Then play from fake chord sheet music. See a major chord like the C or F or G and you know that a R-3-5-8 (notes of the C chord's scale - the C, E, G and another C one octave higher) will work. See a minor chord and a R-b3-5-8 will work (minor chords use the same structure, but, have a flatted 3 interval). Here is what fake chord sheet music looks like: One note per lyric word - Hap-py and birth-day get two notes each. The words ''to" and "you" get one note each.
Happy Birthday Guitar Chords
Sing the song and tap out the rhythm on your knee, now sing the song and sound a note on your bass. Ed Friedland's book was mentioned, anything Ed writes is worth your time and goes into how to build your bass lines, i.e. when to use just roots and when to use something besides just roots.
Start out with just roots (the R) and change roots as the chord progression changes. When you can do just roots and keep up with the music - the music does not run off and leave you - add the 5 for R-5-R-5. When that is comfortable add the 8 for R-5-8-5. Now start adding the 3 in your bass lines. Roots, fives, eights and the correct 3 will play a lot of bass.
All that R-3-5-b7 stuff comes from
Chord Formulas Bookmark this site you will use it all the time.
Here are some patterns you can get started with. Use the pattern, place it correctly, then just run the pattern and the notes of the scale or chord are waiting on you - the pattern has placed them automatically for you.
Bass Patterns based upon the Major Scale box.
Code:
Major Scale Box.
G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Place the root (R) on the C note 4th string 8th fret. Now play the pattern - R, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Sure come back down if you like; 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, R you just played all the correct notes for the C major scale. Place the pattern on the 4th string 5th fret and the pattern for the A major scale awaits you. Use the 4th string 3rd fret and the G major scale awaits you.
Place the root (R) on the C note and play the R-3-5 and you have just played the notes of the C major chord aka the C arpeggio. Chord progression for this song is G-C-D. Place your box root on a G on the 3rd string. Where is your C? Where is the D? The next song's progression is C-F-G. Place your box root on a C on the 3rd string. Where is your F? Where is your G? Yep, piece of cake. That was a hugh
WOW for me.
Basic Chords
Major Triad = R-3-5
Minor Triad = R-b3-5
Diminished Chord = R-b3-b5
7th Chords
Maj7 = R-3-5-7
Minor 7 = R-b3-5-b7
Dominant 7 = R-3-5-b7
½ diminished = R-b3-b5-b7
Full diminished = R-b3-b5-bb7
Scales
Major Scale = R-2-3-4-5-6-7
Major Pentatonic = R-2-3-5-6 Same as the major scale with out the 4 and 7 interval.
Natural Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Same as the major scale with the 3, 6 & 7 flatted.
Minor Pentatonic = R-b3-4-5-b7 Same as the natural minor scale with out the 2 or 6 interval.
Blues = R-b3-4-b5-5-b7 Same as the minor pentatonic with the blue note added (b5).
Harmonic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-7 Same as the natural minor scale, but, with a natural 7.
Melodic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-6-7 Same as the major scale, but, with a b3.
Major modes
Ionian same as the Major Scale.
Lydian use the major scale and sharp the 4 - yes, it’s that simple.
Mixolydian use the major scale and flat the 7.
Minor Modes
Aeolian same as the Natural Minor scale.
Dorian use the Natural Minor scale and sharp the b6 back to a natural 6.
Phrygian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2.
Locrian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2 and the 5.
Generic Notes.
The root, five and eight are generic and fit most any chord. Remember the diminished has a flatted 5.
The 3 is generic to all major chords. See a major chord R-3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The b3 is generic to all minor chords. See a minor chord R-b3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The 7 is generic to all maj7 chords. R-3-5-7.
The b7 is generic to all dominant seventh and minor seventh chords. R-3-5-b7 or R-b3-5-b7.
The 6 is neutral and adds color, help yourself to 6’s. I like R-3-5-6 for major chords. Has a great sound.
The 2 and 4 make good passing notes. Don’t linger on them or stop on them, keep them passing.
In making your bass line help yourself to those notes, just use them correctly.
Remember roots, fives, eights and the correct 3 will play a lot of bass.
Good luck there is enough information here to keep you busy for a year. Copy this and paste it in your reference 3 ring binder, what, you do not have a reference 3 ring binder? Start one.
Ask specific questions some one will help. (edit) Here is something you can do with pentatonics.
http://embedit.in/iZOCOerUSx Notice there are 8 pages. Its not necessary to always start on the root.
Have fun.
