Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

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

G Major Scale

GABCDEF♯
EADG0123456789101112131415161718192021222324673456712345626712345671252345671234512345671234567112345671

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
3
2
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
3
2
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
H
C4Perfect 4th
W
D5Perfect 5th
W
E6Major 6th
W
F♯7Major 7th
H
G8Octave

The reference scale. Every other scale and chord here is named by how it differs from this one.

Also called
Ionian mode
Key signature
1 sharp: F♯
Relative minor
E
Use it over
Major and major 7 chords. Lines that resolve to a major key centre.
Practice tip
Say the degree numbers out loud as you play. Knowing where the 3 and 5 sit is what lets you build lines straight from a chord chart.
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 major scale on bass, in all 12 keys

The reference scale. Every other scale and chord here is named by how it differs from this one. Also called: Ionian mode.

Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Step pattern: W W H W W W H. Use it over: Major and major 7 chords. Lines that resolve to a major key centre.

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
D♭942
A♭4119
E♭1164
B♭6111
F186

Practice tip

Say the degree numbers out loud as you play. Knowing where the 3 and 5 sit is what lets you build lines straight from a chord chart.

Every pattern

Scales

Modes

Arpeggios

Your progress