Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, 6th fret

B♭ Major Scale

B♭CDE♭FGA

Whole neck Left-handed

Tab & notation

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

Note

Deg

Fing

B♭

E♭

B♭

E♭

How it's built

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

B♭1Root

C2Major 2nd

D3Major 3rd

E♭4Perfect 4th

F5Perfect 5th

G6Major 6th

A7Major 7th

B♭8Octave

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

Also called: Ionian mode
Key signature: 2 flats: B♭ E♭
Relative minor: G
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

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 B♭ major scale on bass

The B♭ major scale has 7 notes: B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G and A. The reference scale. Every other scale and chord here is named by how it differs from this one.

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: 2 flats: B♭ E♭. Relative minor: G natural minor scale.

The root, B♭, is on the 6th fret of the E string and the 1st fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 11th fret of the low B string.

B♭ Major Scale tab: root on the E string

Start on the 6th fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 5 to 8 without moving your hand.

G|-----------------|
D|-----------5-7-8-|
A|-----5-6-8-------|
E|-6-8-------------|

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

B♭ Major Scale tab: root on the A string

Start on the 1st fret of the A string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 3 without moving your hand.

G|-----------0-2-3-|
D|-----0-1-3-------|
A|-1-3-------------|
E|-----------------|

Notes: B♭ C D E♭ F G A B♭
Fingers: 1 3 open 1 3 open 2 3

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 6th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 6 to 15 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.

G|---------------------------------12-14-15-|
D|------------------------12-13-15----------|
A|--------6-8-10-12-13-15-------------------|
E|-6-8-10-----------------------------------|

Notes: B♭ C D E♭ F G A B♭ C D E♭ F G A B♭
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 11th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 10 to 13 without moving your hand.

G|-------------------------|
D|-------------------------|
A|----------------10-12-13-|
E|-------10-11-13----------|
B|-11-13-------------------|

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

Notes and intervals

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

When to use it

Major and major 7 chords. Lines that resolve to a major key centre. 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.

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 major scale in every key

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