Bass WoodshedScales, modes and arpeggios for bass

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

E Minor Triad

EGB

Whole neck Left-handed

Tab & notation

Up and back down · 6 notes in 8th notes · 1 bar of 4/4 Bass clef

Note

Deg

Fing

♭3

How it's built

Intervals between chord tones

E1Root

G♭3Minor 3rd

B5Perfect 5th

E8Octave

Root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th. Move the 3rd down one fret and major becomes minor.

Also called: 1 · ♭3 · 5
Use it over: Any minor chord.
Practice tip: Alternate major and minor triads on the same root to train your ear on the 3rd.
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 minor triad on bass

The E minor triad has 3 notes: E, G and B. Root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th. Move the 3rd down one fret and major becomes minor.

Interval steps: m3 M3 P4. Formula: 1 ♭3 5.

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 Minor Triad tab: root on the E string

Start on the open string of the E string. The shape covers frets 2 to 3 without moving your hand.

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

Notes: E G B E
Fingers: open 3 2 2

E Minor Triad tab: root on the A string

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

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

Notes: E G B E
Fingers: 1 4 3 3

Two octaves from the E string

Start on the open string of the E string. The shape covers frets 2 to 9 with 1 position shift.

G|---------0-4-9-|
D|-------2-------|
A|-----2---------|
E|-0-3-----------|

Notes: E G B E G B E
Fingers: open 3 2 2 open 4 4

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

Start on the 5th fret of the B string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 5 to 8 without moving your hand.

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

Notes: E G B E
Fingers: 1 4 3 3

Notes and intervals

Degree	Note	Interval	Frets above the root
1	E	Root	0
♭3	G	Minor 3rd	3
5	B	Perfect 5th	7

When to use it

Any minor chord. Alternate major and minor triads on the same root to train your ear on the 3rd.

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 minor triad in every key

Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF