Whats more important with scales, knowing the notes or the intervals

[xdanxx]

If you had to pick either one, which do you think is more important singing the note names while playing scales or singing the intervals?

 

[ChetChetney]

Ummmm, they go hand-in-hand. Memorize the scales, the scale degrees, the intervals and their relationship to chords. All equally important.

 

[Jazzkuma]

Both equally important. When you learn math you don't just learn to add, you also learn to subtract. Same applies to learning scales on the bass.

 

[oniman7]

Intervals. I don't know a Gb Lydian scale (well, actually I do because it's just raised a semitone from an F Lydian, which is all naturals) but if I know the intervals, it doesn't matter right off the top.

Hopefully, you'll learn the notes while practicing the intervals though...

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Note name or interval? Thats the age ole question. Depends on which way you play and what type of sheet music you utilize.

Standard notation - yes to note name. Play the note that is on the sheet music.

Fake Chord and or Lead Sheet - interval or scale degree R-3-5-b7 becomes important. See the C7 chord and know what scale degrees are within that chord - so you can play those intervals. Yes it's nice to know the scale degree's note name (R-3-5-b7 for a C7 chord uses these notes C-E-G-Bb) but, knowing what pattern gets those notes is perhaps more important. If you are using fake chord or lead sheet.

Let's see what Scott has to say..... http://www.activebass.com/v597--Using-Simple-Shapes-To-Create-Bass-Lines-Lesson-With-Scott-Devine

 

[Ed Fuqua]

If you had to pick either one, which do you think is more important singing the note names while playing scales or singing the intervals?

Yes.

 

[Phil Smith]

If you had to pick either one, which do you think is more important singing the note names while playing scales or singing the intervals?

Singing the intervals works best when you're not just singing major and minor seconds.

 

[fearceol]

If you only know the intervals but not the notes, then how would know where say, a minor third from C is ?

 

[Phil Smith]

If you only know the intervals but not the notes, then how would know where say, a minor third from C is ?

If it sounds like a minor third it is a minor third.

 

[mambo4]

Intervals, but you should be capable of quickly indentifying an interval 4 ways:

• scale degree
• sound in your head
• Shape(s) on the neck
• From any named note.

A very useful trick to memorizing intervals by note name is to memorize the 'cycle of thirds' (CEGBDFACEGBDFA...).
That's the order of all chord tones , and lines on the staff. Refer to key signatures for the accidentals. For example:

for C:
maj 3rd of C is E (C E G B D F A)
perfect fifth of C is G(C E G B D F A)
maj seventh of C is B (C E G B D F A)

For D add the 2 # notes of the key: ( D F# A C# E G B)
maj 3rd of D is F# ( D F# A C# E G B)
fifth of D is A ( D F# A C# E G B)
maj seventh of D is C# ( D F# A C# E G B)

 

[MalcolmAmos]

If you only know the intervals but not the notes, then how would know where say, a minor third from C is ?

The box tells you where it will be.

Major Scale Box. 

G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
Place the root and the intervals are always in the same spot
just waiting on you.

From the root:
The 2 is same string and over 2 frets.
The 3 is up a string and back one fret. The b3 is back one more fret.
The 4 is up one string same fret.
The 5 is up a string and over two frets, or just below the root on the next string down.
The 6 is above the 3.
The The 7 is up two strings and over one fret, the b7 is above the 4.
The 8 is above the 5.

Cmaj7 chord coming up Cmaj7 is made of the R-3-5-7 scale degrees of the C major scale. Visualize the box and the intervals are always in the same spot relative to the root just waiting on you.

You can play using note names or interval numbers. Standard notation of course you need note names, however, if playing from fake chord intervals numbers or scale degree numbers may be something you would want to explore.