Is there a better way to learn....

[Noose]

The available notes of a given key all the way up and down the fret board? This is what I've been doing for practice:

Starting in whatever key I'm in, I'll use C for example, I start on the lowest possible note, E, and play up through the C major scale in that first position, 3 notes per string until I get to the highest note in that position, B. Coming back down I do the same thing, except I move up to the next position, which would be C back down, then back up in the next position, and so on until I have gotten to the highest available note.

I'm sure this is a fairly common form of practicing but where I'm getting mixed up is when it comes to changing keys. I know that if I work up through the circle of fifths I can just play the same thing substituting the appropriate sharps or flats. This is getting awfully confusing for me though. Is it just something I have to work on until I memorize it, or is there another way of looking at the patterns without memorizing every single note that will make it simpler when it comes to changing keys?

I am trying to learn this stuff on my own for the most part so if I am not making any sense feel free to let me know. I don't want to have unlearn something if Ive misunderstood.

[JTE]

Well I'd approach it differently. Things like find all the C's on the neck no matter where. Then go through the circle of fourths to the F's, Bb's, etc. Then work out all the C's and their fifths (G), and find them all over, again cycling through the circle of fourths. Repeat for other intervals.

And for scales, I'd not stay in one position, but work out the fingerings for the C major scale all over the neck. They wind up being five useful positions that lay well on the neck, (look up "CAGED"- even though that's from the guitar, the basic information is applicable to bass as well). So instead of working out the C scale in 1st position, then the F scale in 1st position, I'd work out the C scale in five positions, and work out a fingering to cover the C scale (from the lowest note like you're doing) to the highest one on your neck, before moving to another key.

But the biggest key is naming the notes as you play them. Don't just play the notes, sing the name of the note (before you play it). That way you're working on your ear and teaching your brain what it sounds like when your hands do this move. So for that 1st position C scale you're singing E F G A B C D E F G A B.

John

[251]

I suggest playing 2 octave scales on 1, 2, 3 & 4 strings (5 if you've got 'em) in all keys, for 15 minutes at a time. Find as many different ways to move from note to note as you can. Work from both ends of the fret board, high notes to low & low notes to high.

When that is comfortable I suggest moving single octave scales through the Circle of 4's/5's. Again 15 minutes at a time, both ascending & descending.

Remember to give yourself a reward when those sessions are done. Free playing, jamming, listening time ...

[gre107]

Why don't you look at it like this. Basically what it sounds to me what you are doing is playing through the modes of the major scale.

Starting on the E string play a Fmaj scale (3 notes per string) up through the G string ending on C. So you've covered the F Ionian scale now.

Now starting on the G (with your first finger) on the E string play the notes of the Fmaj scale (3 notes per string). What you have done here now is played a G Dorian which is the minor 2nd of the F major scale.

Now move up with your first finger to the A and continue to play the A Phyrgian which is all of the notes of the F major scale....

Continue doing this concept until you reach the next F on the E string.

By doing this you will cover all of the notes for the F maj scale. But the cool thing is you will have now played the patterns for all of the modes (7 total). Memorize these 7 patterns and you will be able to know all of the notes for whatever key you are in.

Once you know these patterns start playing them all in one position to reinforce them. For example play the F Ionian then the F Dorian, F Phrygian, F Lydian etc.... all in one position.

After that start looking at the relative patterns on the A string in comparison to its E string counterpart.

This should help with learning all of the notes to the major scale and provides you with the patterns that are available. Since the bass is tuned in fourths all of these patterns are symmetrical.

All the best!

[groooooove]

Originally Posted by JTE

Well I'd approach it differently. Things like find all the C's on the neck no matter where. Then go through the circle of fourths to the F's, Bb's, etc. Then work out all the C's and their fifths (G), and find them all over, again cycling through the circle of fourths. Repeat for other intervals.

And for scales, I'd not stay in one position, but work out the fingerings for the C major scale all over the neck. They wind up being five useful positions that lay well on the neck, (look up "CAGED"- even though that's from the guitar, the basic information is applicable to bass as well). So instead of working out the C scale in 1st position, then the F scale in 1st position, I'd work out the C scale in five positions, and work out a fingering to cover the C scale (from the lowest note like you're doing) to the highest one on your neck, before moving to another key.

But the biggest key is naming the notes as you play them. Don't just play the notes, sing the name of the note (before you play it). That way you're working on your ear and teaching your brain what it sounds like when your hands do this move. So for that 1st position C scale you're singing E F G A B C D E F G A B.

John

awesome advice, great way to practice.

[Noose]

Originally Posted by gre107

Why don't you look at it like this. Basically what it sounds to me what you are doing is playing through the modes of the major scale.

Starting on the E string play a Fmaj scale (3 notes per string) up through the G string ending on C. So you've covered the F Ionian scale now.

Now starting on the G (with your first finger) on the E string play the notes of the Fmaj scale (3 notes per string). What you have done here now is played a G Dorian which is the minor 2nd of the F major scale.

Now move up with your first finger to the A and continue to play the A Phyrgian which is all of the notes of the F major scale....

Continue doing this concept until you reach the next F on the E string.

By doing this you will cover all of the notes for the F maj scale. But the cool thing is you will have now played the patterns for all of the modes (7 total). Memorize these 7 patterns and you will be able to know all of the notes for whatever key you are in.

Once you know these patterns start playing them all in one position to reinforce them. For example play the F Ionian then the F Dorian, F Phrygian, F Lydian etc.... all in one position.

After that start looking at the relative patterns on the A string in comparison to its E string counterpart.

This should help with learning all of the notes to the major scale and provides you with the patterns that are available. Since the bass is tuned in fourths all of these patterns are symmetrical.

All the best!

YES!!!! I knew there was some kind if pattern. Ok, I think I will need to run through this post a few times to understand what you are saying but this is exactly what I was looking for.

[smeet]

In addition, learn to play a given scale all the way up and down each string (also saying the names of the notes). When you can connect this with the patterns mentioned previously, you'll really have a solid grasp of the fingerboard.