Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

Scale · 4-string · Root on E string, 1st fret

F Major Scale

FGAB♭CDE

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♭

How it's built

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

F1Root

G2Major 2nd

A3Major 3rd

B♭4Perfect 4th

C5Perfect 5th

D6Major 6th

E7Major 7th

F8Octave

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

Also called: Ionian mode
Key signature: 1 flat: B♭
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

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 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: 1 flat: B♭. Relative minor: D natural minor scale.

The root, F, is on the 1st fret of the E string and the 8th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 6th fret of the low B string.

F Major Scale tab: root on the E string

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

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

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

F Major Scale tab: root on the A string

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

G|-------------7-9-10-|
D|------7-8-10--------|
A|-8-10---------------|
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 1st fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 10 with 1 position shift and 1 one-fret stretch.

G|---------------------------7-9-10-|
D|--------------------7-8-10--------|
A|-----0-1-3-5-7-8-10---------------|
E|-1-3------------------------------|

Notes: F G A B♭ C D E F G A B♭ C D E F
Fingers: 1 3 open 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 6th fret of the B string with your second finger. The shape covers frets 5 to 8 without moving your hand.

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

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

Notes and intervals

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