I am fairly new to bass (7 months) and I already know arpeggios and major minor and pentatonic yada yada but anyways I cannot stretch my fingers out far enough to play minor chord unless its like after the 10th fret I just have a normal 34 scale bass (Thunderbird) and I'm not exactly that little either (5'11) any advice or exercises I can do to stretch my fingers. Also do you guys have any websites that teach you how to read sheet music I know a little bit about sheet music (played tuba in the band but only for like 4 months and didn't pay much attention haha)
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HELP ME WITH MINOR CHORDS
- Thread starter tbird99
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
A minor chord should be an easier reach than a major one. I would just make sure you have proper fretting hand technique and keep at stretching, make sure when you do fret you do it right every time, and one fret per finger.
Go to www.studybass.com for learning resources.
Go to www.studybass.com for learning resources.
I'll actually try and be of some help.
Look at the diagram below. There is a TON of info on it if you take the time to examine it.
Look at the minor chord examples. A minor chord is the 1, b3 and 5 of a given scale. At the bottom of each chord it shows the scalar position for each fretted or open note. Notice that in some of those chords, the 1, b3 and 5 are grouped conveniently together.
The G minor example alone gives you two movable shapes depending on whether you play the high root or the low root. Sometimes the root is the lowest pitch, sometimes middle or even highest. Although playing a root (or b3 or 5) high or low or middle does vary the voicing, it is still a proper chord.
Playing the chord as a triad gives you movable shapes that basically give you a ton of minor chords.
Hope I didn't confuse the heck out of you.
Joe.
A bassist from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra taught me an exercise back in the 70's that's been a mainstay of mine. You alternate back and forth between extending your middle and pinky fingers, with 1st and ring finger folded, then extend 1st and ring finger while folding the pinky and middle finger, then back to pinky and middle finger extended. It's hell at first, but I believe it's pretty much working all the muscles you use while playing, and it teaches dexterity by learning to control the alternate fingers.
I didn't even touch my basses from 1992 until 3 months ago, but I still did that exercise unconsciously all that time. When I stated playing again, it was like I never stopped, other than getting my calluses back in shape.
I didn't even touch my basses from 1992 until 3 months ago, but I still did that exercise unconsciously all that time. When I stated playing again, it was like I never stopped, other than getting my calluses back in shape.
Ditto! Also saved it..I make these charts my wallpaper so I see them all day long!
