• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

"Pointless" Scale Excersises?

Alright...Lately I've been trying to do this thing called "scale of the week" where I take 1-3 weeks trying to learn a key by learning/understanding the notes in the scale,playing the key in all 8 "modes"*, and just getting familiar with the key.

* Now, by modes I mean say if it was the key of E major - I'd play F#,G#,A,B,C#,D#,E,and than the octave of F#. (I do this with all notes in the scale)

Now is this considered an actual mode?/ does this have a certain name? Or am I just playing in the Key of E Major F#-F#

Thanks for your help,I've recently 'lost' my instructor and had a few questions to ask.
 
People often call them positions/boxes/frames and so on. I think it's just easier to remember the names. Some are played much more often and are more easily used. You'll probably use Dorian quite often, Myxolidian quite a bit, some straight up Major and Minor (Ionian and Aeolian), and that's about it. You won't find yourself playing many songs (unless you try to) in Locrian, Lydian, or Phrygian as much.

-Eric.

P.S. - IMPO, it's easier to think of them as scales unto themselves and not degrees of some other scale or key.
 
Dont just learn the boxes, be able to play the scales everywerhe on the bass.. on one string... on only two strings. each note on a different string (sort of kinda...) etc etc. Play them by 2nds, 3rd, fourths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths.
for example
C playing by 7ths
c B d C e D f E g F a G b A c
thirds. *m inor 3rd
c E (d F)* (e G)* f A g B (a C)* (b D)* c E

also remember each degree of the scale will produce different chords

generally speaking its.,
1 Major
2 MInor
3 Minor
4 Major
5 Major
6 Minor
7 diminished(minor basically

disregard if you are confused, my english is horrid.