"Major Scale Box" diagram

[Horseflesh]

@Malcolm35 posted a nice guide on how to pick our chord tones in major scales. I like infographics, and I keep a folder of printouts to study, so I used the information to make a new diagram to my own taste. Maybe someone else will find it handy. Thanks again to @Malcolm35 for sharing the info!

This first page I made only contains some of the material from the guide, but later I will do the rest and post an update. A printable PDF is attached to this post.

 

[skycruiser]

Might be helpful to show the 8 on the triads.

 

[Horseflesh]

There is definitely a lot more material to cover!

 

[Lownote38]

Learning to read musical notation would negate the need for this chart by not playing by shape, but by what the notes on the fret board are.

 

[Horseflesh]

I am learning that as well, but I don't see how remembering re-usable shapes like also this is a bad thing.

 

[Lownote38]

I am learning that as well, but I don't see how remembering re-usable shapes like also this is a bad thing.

It can become a crutch.

 

[Horseflesh]

Without the benefit of a few crutches in the beginning, I wouldn't be playing at all.

 

[skycruiser]

It can become a crutch.

This is true. On the other hand you can make a lot of music using these fretboard relationships and not even bother paying attention to any of the notes or keys you are playing. I have created a lot of music while completely disregarding notes and keys. Not claiming to make good music, but it is possible.

 

[Lownote38]

Without the benefit of a few crutches in the beginning, I wouldn't be playing at all.

Understood. I used box shapes when I first started, but I was 13. Then, I learned what scales and chords are. No more boxes, and the sky's the limit after that.

 

[Horseflesh]

Well, I've been playing for 3 months, so don't call the music police yet.

 

[jpmcbride]

Nothing wrong with the way the OP is learning. I'd say he's learning to play "intervals", not just shapes. Learning intervals on the bass by position, and being able to move those shapes around is a great way to approach the instrument. With a chord chart for a song, and a little of this knowledge, some good music can be played.

OP, my suggestion is to learn these shapes and patterns, but make sure along the way you pay attention to the intervals you're playing, not just the shape. For example when you play the major chord triad, be sure to know which note is the root, 3rd, and 5th. And I agree with Skycruiser's suggestion, adding the 8th (octave) to your triads is a good idea. Pretty soon you'll be moving these shapes all over the fret board, you'll start knowing what the intervals sound like, and you'll start finding other places on the fret board to get the same notes. Plus, calling notes by "interval" is the common language of music on the bandstand (at least in my experience in blues and rock). When someone tells you a baseline is just root-octave-flat7, you'll know exactly what they mean and be able to do it in any key. You're on the right track, in my opinion. Have fun and play that bass

 

[Horseflesh]

@jpmcbride, we are on exactly the same page!

 

[callofcthulhu]

Understood. I used box shapes when I first started, but I was 13. Then, I learned what scales and chords are. No more boxes, and the sky's the limit after that.

When you come down to it, isn't a scale just a fancy name for the box pattern you use on a piano?

 

[Horseflesh]

You guys were right, adding the 8 was a good idea. Too bad I can't edit the original post any more, but it's attached to this post. Maybe I should check out the wiki. (What I should do is go play.)

 

[Fun Size Nick]

When you come down to it, isn't a scale just a fancy name for the box pattern you use on a piano?

Pianists have to play a different scale pattern for each root! I do get what you're saying, I used to say the same about notation when I was younger, though really it's the other way around - the piano layout is constructed around notation/western scales rather than the other way around.

Really each instrument has its own pros and cons for interval/chord tone/scale learning - the piano has the advantage of representing notation in a straightforward way (but can make transposition a challenge), stringed instruments represent intervals very consistently across the fingerboard (making transposition very simple), and brass & woodwind players scoff at what qualifies for 'challenges' for us in this area

 

[comatosedragon]

Cool, I like it. Thanks for sharing!

 

[nnnnnn]

That's a big stretch (or position switch, slide, or something) from minor third to fifth. Have you considered playing the minor third on the same string as the root?

 

[Rabidhamster]

The graphic looks cool it reminds me of a pop up screen in an RPG game. Just needs like 3 1/2 hearts in the upper corner.

 

[Ekulati]

I am learning that as well, but I don't see how remembering re-usable shapes like also this is a bad thing.

True, not bad, but maybe not the best.

Bass is VERY different from geetar. Those folks can easily build entire careers by just wanking on shapes. As a bassist, I prefer to think in chord tones and arpeggios, then scale runs, things like that, ALWAYS being conscious of the note I'm playing and how it functions in the chord and the key. Shapes, to me, encourage a more "mindless" approach which I do use when soloing, but not for most bass playing.

 

[lfmn16]

Bass is VERY different from geetar. Those folks can easily build entire careers by just wanking on shapes.

More than one bass player has made a career out of wanking on root notes.