Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, 7th fret

B Major Scale

BC♯D♯EF♯G♯A♯

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

C♯

D♯

F♯

G♯

A♯

G♯

F♯

D♯

C♯

How it's built

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

B1Root

C♯2Major 2nd

D♯3Major 3rd

E4Perfect 4th

F♯5Perfect 5th

G♯6Major 6th

A♯7Major 7th

B8Octave

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

Also called: Ionian mode
Key signature: 5 sharps: C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯ A♯
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: 5 sharps: C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯ A♯. Relative minor: G♯ natural minor scale.

The root, B, is on the 7th fret of the E string and the 2nd fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the open string of the low B string.

B Major Scale tab: root on the E string

Start on the 7th fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 6 to 9 without moving your hand.

G|-----------------|
D|-----------6-8-9-|
A|-----6-7-9-------|
E|-7-9-------------|

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 2nd fret of the A string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 4 without moving your hand.

G|-----------1-3-4-|
D|-----1-2-4-------|
A|-2-4-------------|
E|-----------------|

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

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 7th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 7 to 16 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.

G|---------------------------------13-15-16-|
D|------------------------13-14-16----------|
A|--------7-9-11-13-14-16-------------------|
E|-7-9-11-----------------------------------|

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

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

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

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