Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

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

G Lydian Mode

GABC♯DEF♯
EADG0123456789101112131415161718192021222324673♯4567123♯456267123♯456712523♯4567123♯45123♯4567123♯45671123♯45671

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
2
A
2
5
4
B
3
2
1
C♯
♯4
4
3
D
5
5
4
E
6
2
1
F♯
7
4
3
G
1
5
4
F♯
7
4
3
E
6
2
1
D
5
5
4
C♯
♯4
4
3
B
3
2
1
A
2
5
4
·

How it's built

W = whole step (2 frets) · H = half step (1 fret)
G1Root
W
A2Major 2nd
W
B3Major 3rd
W
C♯♯4Augmented 4th
H
D5Perfect 5th
W
E6Major 6th
W
F♯7Major 7th
H
G8Octave

Major with a ♯4. Bright and floating; common in film scores.

Also called
Mode 4
Vs. major
♯4
Key signature
2 sharps: C♯ F♯
Parent major
D
Use it over
Major 7 chords, especially the IV chord of a major key.
Practice tip
With the drone on, land on the ♯4 and hold it. Hear how it hangs instead of resolving.
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 Lydian mode on bass, in all 12 keys

Major with a ♯4. Bright and floating; common in film scores. Also called: Mode 4.

Formula: 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. Step pattern: W W W H W W H. Use it over: Major 7 chords, especially the IV chord of a major key.

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
G♭297
D♭942
A♭4119
E♭1164
B♭6111
F186

Practice tip

With the drone on, land on the ♯4 and hold it. Hear how it hangs instead of resolving.

Every pattern

Scales

Modes

Arpeggios

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