Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Mode · 4-string · Root on E string, 3rd fret

G Dorian Mode

GAB♭CDEF
EADG01234567891011121314151617181920212223246♭72♭3456♭712♭345656♭712♭3456♭71212♭3456♭712♭3452♭3456♭712♭3456♭7112♭3456♭71

Tab & notation

Up and back down · 14 notes in 8th notes · 2 bars of 4/4
Note
Deg
G
D
A
E
Fing
G
1
3
3
A
2
0
o
B♭
♭3
1
1
C
4
3
3
D
5
0
o
E
6
2
2
F
♭7
3
3
G
1
0
o
F
♭7
3
3
E
6
2
2
D
5
0
o
C
4
3
3
B♭
♭3
1
1
A
2
0
o
·

How it's built

W = whole step (2 frets) · H = half step (1 fret)
G1Root
W
A2Major 2nd
H
B♭♭3Minor 3rd
W
C4Perfect 4th
W
D5Perfect 5th
W
E6Major 6th
H
F♭7Minor 7th
W
G8Octave

Minor with a natural 6th, so it sounds brighter than natural minor. The sound of funk vamps and modal jazz.

Also called
Mode 2
Vs. major
♭3, ♭7
Key signature
1 flat: B♭
Parent major
F
Use it over
Minor 7 chords, especially ii chords and one-chord minor grooves.
Practice tip
Lean on the 6th. It is the one note that separates Dorian from natural minor.
Your best
Complete a loop to log a tempo for this pattern.

Practice routine

Add BPM every loops, up to BPM
every loops
Cycling 4ths is how jazz players drill a shape in all twelve keys.

The Dorian mode on bass, in all 12 keys

Minor with a natural 6th, so it sounds brighter than natural minor. The sound of funk vamps and modal jazz. Also called: Mode 2.

Formula: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7. Step pattern: W H W W W H W. Use it over: Minor 7 chords, especially ii chords and one-chord minor grooves.

Notes in every key

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

Where the root sits on the neck

KeyE stringA stringB string (5-string)
C831
G3108
D1053
A5010
E075
B720
F♯297
C♯942
A♭4119
E♭1164
B♭6111
F186

Practice tip

Lean on the 6th. It is the one note that separates Dorian from natural minor.

Every pattern

Scales

Modes

Arpeggios

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