Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, 2nd fret

F♯ Major Scale

F♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯E♯
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Tab & notation

Up and back down · 14 notes in 8th notes · 2 bars of 4/4
Note
Deg
G
D
A
E
Fing
F♯
1
2
2
G♯
2
4
4
A♯
3
1
1
B
4
2
2
C♯
5
4
4
D♯
6
1
1
E♯
7
3
3
F♯
1
4
4
E♯
7
3
3
D♯
6
1
1
C♯
5
4
4
B
4
2
2
A♯
3
1
1
G♯
2
4
4
·

How it's built

W = whole step (2 frets) · H = half step (1 fret)
F♯1Root
W
G♯2Major 2nd
W
A♯3Major 3rd
H
B4Perfect 4th
W
C♯5Perfect 5th
W
D♯6Major 6th
W
E♯7Major 7th
H
F♯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
6 sharps: F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯ D♯ E♯
Relative minor
D♯
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.

How to play the F♯ major scale on bass

The F♯ major scale has 7 notes: F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯ and E♯. 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: 6 sharps: F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯ D♯ E♯. Relative minor: D♯ natural minor scale.

The root, F♯, is on the 2nd fret of the E string and the 9th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 7th fret of the low B string.

F♯ Major Scale tab: root on the E string

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

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

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

F♯ Major Scale tab: root on the A string

Start on the 9th fret of the A string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 8 to 11 without moving your hand.

G|-------------8-10-11-|
D|------8-9-11---------|
A|-9-11----------------|
E|---------------------|

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

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the 2nd fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 2 to 11 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.

G|---------------------------8-10-11-|
D|--------------------8-9-11---------|
A|-------2-4-6-8-9-11----------------|
E|-2-4-6-----------------------------|

Notes: F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯
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 7th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 6 to 9 without moving your hand.

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

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

Notes and intervals

DegreeNoteIntervalFrets above the root
1F♯Root0
2G♯Major 2nd2
3A♯Major 3rd4
4BPerfect 4th5
5C♯Perfect 5th7
6D♯Major 6th9
7E♯Major 7th11

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

More patterns from F♯

Scales

Modes

Arpeggios

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