Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Mode · 4-string · Root on E string, 5th fret

A Ionian Mode

ABC♯DEF♯G♯

Whole neck Left-handed

RootScale noteThe same notes elsewhere on the neckNumbers are scale degrees (1 is the root)

Tab & notation

Up and back down · 14 notes in 8th notes · 2 bars of 4/4 Bass clef

Note

Deg

Fing

C♯

F♯

G♯

F♯

C♯

How it's built

W = whole step (2 frets) · H = half step (1 fret)

A1Root

B2Major 2nd

C♯3Major 3rd

D4Perfect 4th

E5Perfect 5th

F♯6Major 6th

G♯7Major 7th

A8Octave

Mode 1, the major scale itself. The other six modes use the same notes starting from a different degree.

Also called: Mode 1 · the major scale
Key signature: 3 sharps: C♯ F♯ G♯
Relative minor: F♯
Use it over: Major and major 7 chords, the I chord.
Practice tip: Keep the shape and play from each degree in turn. Starting on the 2 gives you Dorian, on the 5 Mixolydian.
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 A Ionian mode on bass

The A Ionian mode has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G♯. Mode 1, the major scale itself. The other six modes use the same notes starting from a different degree.

Step pattern: W W H W W W H (W = whole step, two frets; H = half step, one fret). Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Key signature: 3 sharps: C♯ F♯ G♯. Relative minor: F♯ natural minor scale.

The root, A, is on the 5th fret of the E string and the open string of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 10th fret of the low B string.

A Ionian Mode tab: root on the E string

Start on the 5th fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 4 to 7 without moving your hand.

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

Notes: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Fingers: 2 4 1 2 4 1 3 4

A Ionian Mode tab: root on the A string

Start on the open string of the A string. The shape covers frets 1 to 4 without moving your hand.

G|-------------1-2-|
D|-------0-2-4-----|
A|-0-2-4-----------|
E|-----------------|

Notes: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Fingers: open 2 4 open 2 4 1 2

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 5th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 5 to 14 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.

G|-------------------------------11-13-14-|
D|----------------------11-12-14----------|
A|-------5-7-9-11-12-14-------------------|
E|-5-7-9----------------------------------|

Notes: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Fingers: 1 3 4 1 3 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 3 4

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

Start on the 10th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 9 to 12 without moving your hand.

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

Notes: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A
Fingers: 2 4 1 2 4 1 3 4

Notes and intervals

Degree	Note	Interval	Frets above the root
1	A	Root	0
2	B	Major 2nd	2
3	C♯	Major 3rd	4
4	D	Perfect 4th	5
5	E	Perfect 5th	7
6	F♯	Major 6th	9
7	G♯	Major 7th	11

When to use it

Major and major 7 chords, the I chord. Keep the shape and play from each degree in turn. Starting on the 2 gives you Dorian, on the 5 Mixolydian.

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 Ionian mode in every key

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