I used to find moving smoothly through fast position shifts quite tricky when starting out. So I've put up a quick lesson covering it if you're interested:
Mark
Mark
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Smooth Position Shifts
- Thread starter markjsmithbass
- Start date
You make really helpful videos. Clear, and to the point. Would you be willing to make one that shows how to play a C minor pentatonic all the way up the neck, using a 5 string bass? I've been trying to suss it out, but I'm not sure of the most efficient way to do it.
I think it would be helpful to see how to navigate the neck using pentatonics.
I think it would be helpful to see how to navigate the neck using pentatonics.
I will be doing one in the near future. I've made a list of vids that I'm working my way through. I want to get through a few of the basic music theory ones first so I have something to link back to as I do the more advanced vids.
In the meantime, there is a system for addressing the different positions of scales and its the same system for all of them. There is one scale pattern starting on the 2nd finger, one starting on on the 4th finger and one on the 1st finger. You need to learn them starting on the e string then learn those same patterns starting on the a string (same patterns but filling in the notes on the e string below). Then there is a kind of transistional pattern between those two areas with the root on the 1st finger d string. Try playing in one pattern area then move up or down one and just keep messing around with them.
That's probably a really quick and crap way of describing the system but it'll make a lot more sense when I do the video.
This same system is demonstrated in many of my mate Scott Devine's video lessons. So if you're eager to see what I mean, go check out one of his scale lessons on Youtube.
Scott and I are both Leeds boys. Met him originally about 15 years ago at college. Great player and nice guy.
Mark
In the meantime, there is a system for addressing the different positions of scales and its the same system for all of them. There is one scale pattern starting on the 2nd finger, one starting on on the 4th finger and one on the 1st finger. You need to learn them starting on the e string then learn those same patterns starting on the a string (same patterns but filling in the notes on the e string below). Then there is a kind of transistional pattern between those two areas with the root on the 1st finger d string. Try playing in one pattern area then move up or down one and just keep messing around with them.
That's probably a really quick and crap way of describing the system but it'll make a lot more sense when I do the video.
This same system is demonstrated in many of my mate Scott Devine's video lessons. So if you're eager to see what I mean, go check out one of his scale lessons on Youtube.
Scott and I are both Leeds boys. Met him originally about 15 years ago at college. Great player and nice guy.
Mark
Also if you are having problems shifting pentatonic patterns, try making up some runs or lines that move through them. Especially runs that only stay on two strings and move up and down. I find that limiting yourself in practice is one of the best ways to learn. Try limiting yourself to only the e and a string in one key then only use the a and d string. Then d and g string. You probably get the idea. This idea of limiting yourself can be really useful when applied to every part of playing .
You've actually given me more inspiration for doing a pentatonic lesson sooner so keep looking out for it. If you subscribe to the youtube channel or my website you'll get an update when the new lessons come out.
I like this idea of doing requests. Probably more helpful in the long run.
Mark
You've actually given me more inspiration for doing a pentatonic lesson sooner so keep looking out for it. If you subscribe to the youtube channel or my website you'll get an update when the new lessons come out.
I like this idea of doing requests. Probably more helpful in the long run.
Mark
I think I found one here, by a guy named Adam Neely. This is pretty much what I was looking for, but he doesn't explain how he executes the runs at all. I have to run the video back and forth a lot.
And I did subscribe to your lessons!
And I did subscribe to your lessons!
I'll do the video next. Probably be quite popular. Seems a lot of bass players want to get into pentatonics. I think it's because it suits a lot of rock players. The lesson will probably be on 4 string but it's incredibly easy to adapt to 5 string. It's the same patterns with an extra couple of notes added below on the B string.
