Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Arpeggio · 4-string · Root on E string, 9th fret

C♯ Diminished Triad

C♯EG

Whole neck Left-handed

RootChord toneDefining note (♭5): what sets this arpeggio apartThe same notes elsewhere on the neckNumbers are scale degrees (1 is the root)

Tab & notation

Up and back down · 6 notes in 8th notes · 1 bar of 4/4 Bass clef

Note

Deg

Fing

C♯

♭3

♭5

C♯

♭5

♭3

How it's built

Intervals between chord tones

C♯1Root

E♭3Minor 3rd

G♭5Diminished 5th

C♯8Octave

Two minor 3rds stacked. Unstable; it wants to resolve up a half step.

Also called: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
Use it over: Diminished chords and the vii chord of a major key.
Practice tip: Resolve it: play the arpeggio, then the root one fret higher.
Your best: Complete a loop to log a tempo for this pattern.

Practice routine

One-bar count-in

Speed builder

Add BPM every loops, up to BPM

Move through keys

every loops

Cycling 4ths is how jazz players drill a shape in all twelve keys.

Memory mode: hide the tab and fingering after the first loop Small speakers: play the bass an octave higher

Bass Click Drone Chords Drums

How to play the C♯ diminished triad on bass

The C♯ diminished triad has 3 notes: C♯, E and G. Two minor 3rds stacked. Unstable; it wants to resolve up a half step.

Interval steps: m3 m3 TT. Formula: 1 ♭3 ♭5.

The root, C♯, is on the 9th fret of the E string and the 4th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 2nd fret of the low B string.

C♯ Diminished Triad tab: root on the E string

Start on the 9th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 9 to 12 without moving your hand.

G|------------|
D|---------11-|
A|------10----|
E|-9-12-------|

Notes: C♯ E G C♯
Fingers: 1 4 2 3

C♯ Diminished Triad tab: root on the A string

Start on the 4th fret of the A string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 4 to 7 without moving your hand.

G|-------6-|
D|-----5---|
A|-4-7-----|
E|---------|

Notes: C♯ E G C♯
Fingers: 1 4 2 3

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 9th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 9 to 18 with 1 position shift.

G|------------9-12-18-|
D|---------11---------|
A|------10------------|
E|-9-12---------------|

Notes: C♯ E G C♯ E G C♯
Fingers: 1 4 2 3 1 4 4

On a 5-string bass: root on the B string

Start on the 2nd fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 2 to 4 without moving your hand.

G|---------|
D|---------|
A|-------4-|
E|---0-3---|
B|-2-------|

Notes: C♯ E G C♯
Fingers: 2 open 3 4

Notes and intervals

Degree	Note	Interval	Frets above the root
1	C♯	Root	0
♭3	E	Minor 3rd	3
♭5	G	Diminished 5th	6

When to use it

Diminished chords and the vii chord of a major key. Resolve it: play the arpeggio, then the root one fret higher.

How to practise it

Start with the metronome at 60 BPM in 8th notes, ascending and descending, until you can play it without looking. Raise the tempo 5 BPM at a time with the speed builder, then switch on memory mode so the tab hides after the first loop. Earn bronze for playing it through, silver at 4 notes a second, and gold at that speed from memory.

The diminished triad in every key

Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF