Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, open string

E Major Scale

EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯

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

F♯

G♯

C♯

D♯

C♯

G♯

F♯

How it's built

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

E1Root

F♯2Major 2nd

G♯3Major 3rd

A4Perfect 4th

B5Perfect 5th

C♯6Major 6th

D♯7Major 7th

E8Octave

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

Also called: Ionian mode
Key signature: 4 sharps: F♯ G♯ C♯ D♯
Relative minor: C♯
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 E major scale on bass

The E major scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D♯. 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: 4 sharps: F♯ G♯ C♯ D♯. Relative minor: C♯ natural minor scale.

The root, E, is on the open string of the E string and the 7th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 5th fret of the low B string.

E Major Scale tab: root on the E string

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

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

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

E Major Scale tab: root on the A string

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

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

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

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the open string of the E string. The shape covers frets 1 to 9 with 1 position shift.

G|-------------------------6-8-9-|
D|-------------1-2-4-6-7-9-------|
A|-------0-2-4-------------------|
E|-0-2-4-------------------------|

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

On a 5-string bass: root on the B string

Start on the 5th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 4 to 7 without moving your hand.

G|-----------------|
D|-----------------|
A|-----------4-6-7-|
E|-----4-5-7-------|
B|-5-7-------------|

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

Notes and intervals

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