Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, 8th fret

C Major Scale

CDEFGAB

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

How it's built

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

C1Root

D2Major 2nd

E3Major 3rd

F4Perfect 4th

G5Perfect 5th

A6Major 6th

B7Major 7th

C8Octave

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

Also called: Ionian mode
Key signature: No sharps or flats
Relative minor: A
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 C major scale on bass

The C major scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. 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: No sharps or flats. Relative minor: A natural minor scale.

The root, C, is on the 8th fret of the E string and the 3rd fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 1st fret of the low B string.

C Major Scale tab: root on the E string

Start on the 8th fret of the E string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 7 to 10 without moving your hand.

G|--------------------|
D|-------------7-9-10-|
A|------7-8-10--------|
E|-8-10---------------|

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

C Major Scale tab: root on the A string

Start on the 3rd fret of the A string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 2 to 5 without moving your hand.

G|-----------2-4-5-|
D|-----2-3-5-------|
A|-3-5-------------|
E|-----------------|

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

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 8th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 8 to 17 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.

G|-----------------------------------14-16-17-|
D|--------------------------14-15-17----------|
A|---------8-10-12-14-15-17-------------------|
E|-8-10-12------------------------------------|

Notes: C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C
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 1st fret of the B string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 3 without moving your hand.

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

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

Notes and intervals

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