Writing Bass Lines - using interval numbers

[MalcolmAmos]

Up to now I have written my bass lines using interval numbers, aka R-3-5-b7, etc. I think in interval numbers and find my notes within the major scale pattern. Like so.....

G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---R---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string

Not a problem if I stay in one octave, however I now see that I do need to be able to write and think in at least two octaves. I would like to continue thinking in interval numbers and visualizing the major scale pattern on my fretboard.

Is the 2nd octave found by just going up the neck on the G string ? Is that the accepted way? I guess what I'm asking for is a full two octave major scale pattern.

I do understand I can eliminate this problem using standard notation. All my bass playing is done with out sheet music, i.e. jamming - key called out and I then listen for the chord changes and compose my bass riffs on the fly. When I feel the need for a second octave where do I grab those notes?

Appreciate your help.

Thanks.

[grifff]

Place the root on the 4th fret of the D string(use your first finger) and expand from there. If I knew how to write tab in a post I would.

I'm sure someone can answer a lot better than I can so I would wait for them.

[Chupacabra]

G|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-6-|---|-7-|-R-| 1st string
D|---|---|---|---|---|---|-2-|-/-|-3-|-4-|---|-5-|
A|---|---|---|---|-5-|-/-|-6-|---|-7-|-R-|---|---|
E|---|---|-R-|-/-|-2-|---|-3-|-4-|---|---|---|---| 4th string

You can play your scale using this pattern ( the / symbols are supposed to represent a position shift) so the root to 2nd on the E-string would both be played with the 1st finger & likewise for the 5th to 6th on the A-string & 2nd to 3rd (9th to 10th really, but easier to create the diagram with 2 & 3) on the D-string.

Hope that makes sense

[tobie]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

I guess what I'm asking for is a full two octave major scale pattern.

This is nicely covered in Bass Guitar for Dummies. Also, have a look at this: http://eu.dummies.com/how-to/content...-bass-gui.html (what an excellent bass website in general)!

[MalcolmAmos]

Thanks guys, onward and upward.

[killersdude]

If I was you, I would just do myself a favor and learn all of the notes of the scale ahead, rather than the visualize each position around the fretboard. I started out that way and now I find myself really struggling at times. Just one opinion...

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by killersdude

and learn all of the notes of the scale ahead, rather than the visualize each position around the fretboard.

Open for suggestions - explain; "notes of the scale ahead"....... in more detail.

Thanks,

Malcolm

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Open for suggestions - explain; "notes of the scale ahead"....... in more detail.

Thanks,

Malcolm

What he's saying is, rather than relying on fretboard patterns, learn where the notes are, which notes belong to which key & how to find all the intervals.

That little pattern I wrote for you earlier is just one of several routes you could take to go through the 2 octaves of G. I wrote that one out as it's pretty simple to remember it, it has a repeating pattern (we're trying to avoid those ).

If you have a 24 fret bass, you've got 3 octaves to run up in G, if you use that pattern I wrote before, you'll end on the 12th fret of the G-string (G) with your little finger. If you know where the notes are, you'll easily be able to shift position & finish off the last octave to the high G (24th fret). Move your index finger to the next note of the scale but fret it on the D-string rather than the G-string. See if you can get there easily or whether you have to slow down & think about it (slowing down = you're learning, so all good ), similarly, can you easily carry on finding the last few notes or do you have to slow down again? - more learnin'.

Going back to your original post, if you're using scale notes for writing/jamming/riffing, you'd probably benefit a fair whack by reading the Jeff Berlin threads. All the stuff about using chord tones is a good eye (ear) opener if you haven't thought, or been taught that way. I've ironed out quite a few weaknesses & misconceptions of my own in the past month-ish just from those topics & some of the other threads that have spawned up from them.

HTH ♪♫