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But what does it mean?!!!!!

Oct 31, 2009
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I got this seriously cool new app for my ipod, bass scales (I recommend it) but I'm confused as to what these symbols mean.

The dots on the notes have things on them like P1, M2 etc, and I have no idea what that is!

Can anyone help me out? (Picture attached)
 
The P stands for Perfect, the M for Major. Just worry about the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8(1) for now, until you learn a bit more theory on INTERVALS. Then it will become clearer what the perfect and major is about. For now, just memorize the numbers.
That is a moveable shape for a one octave major scale starting with your 2nd(middle finger), over 3 strings. It is showing it in position where it starts on the 5th below the root(1) and goes up to the octave. Playing horizontally across the 4 strings, diatonically in that major key. ( hahahahaha can hear your head just explode.)
Memorize that shape, and the corresponding numbers.
 
That is a moveable shape for a one octave major scale starting with your 2nd(middle finger), over 3 strings. It is showing it in position where it starts on the 5th below the root(1) and goes up to the octave. Playing horizontally across the 4 strings, diatonically in that major key.


... that plus the same for Minor (Melodic and harmonic) and Blues scales made me a living for 10 years or so.... (but don't tell anyone!)

:bassist::D
 
The P stands for Perfect, the M for Major. Just worry about the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8(1) for now, until you learn a bit more theory on INTERVALS. Then it will become clearer what the perfect and major is about. For now, just memorize the numbers.
That is a moveable shape for a one octave major scale starting with your 2nd(middle finger), over 3 strings. It is showing it in position where it starts on the 5th below the root(1) and goes up to the octave. Playing horizontally across the 4 strings, diatonically in that major key. ( hahahahaha can hear your head just explode.)
Memorize that shape, and the corresponding numbers.

Definitely think I need to read up some more about intervals. Shame I had to quit my music theory lessons after having only 4 (totally broke :spit:) as that would have helped.

The scale is relatively simple one isn't it, the major scale? And I can always work out the natural minor from there. Have trouble with modes though.... writing them down on paper is easy enough but when it comes to playing them through, I'm rapidly lost :crying: