LESSON 10
Getting To Know Your Scales

In 1995 I was conducting a Warwick bass clinic in Reno, Nevada. Although there was a horrendous winter storm raging, the music store was packed with enthusiastic bass players, all wanting answers to their most pressing questions. As with all my clinics, I ended that session with a Q&A segment. These sessions are always my favorite because it gives me a chance to give specific help to my bass brethren. At least I hope I do.

The last player to ask me a question was a 20-something gentleman who seemed very studious and serious. He said, "I have learned all the scales in the world, but I don't think I am any better for it. What good are scales anyway?" I asked the frustrated bassist to join me on the makeshift stage so we could explore this issue more. Once he was settled in and plugged in with my back-up bass. I asked him to play me a G major scale. In a flash he played a one-octave G major scale, starting on the 3rd fret of the E string. I then asked him if he could play the G major scale anywhere else on the neck.

He looked confused. In fact, he looked like he regretted asking the question in the first place.

I then asked him if he knew the notes of the G major scale.

He broke out in a sweat.

Trying to offer him some relief, I suggested that we jam over a G major vamp, so he could improvise a solo with a G major scale and I could further evaluate his theoretical understanding. I played a simple Gmaj7 chord comp and my accomplice began to noodle through some ideas…all safely nestled within the one-octave G major fingering that he demonstrated earlier. And he only played ascending ideas.

From that short jam session, I gave out a lesson, which I will reiterate for you now.

There is so much more to "knowing" a scale than just being able to play a one-octave pattern. You need to learn the scale intellectually as well as physically. You have to be able to comprehend the scale on paper, as well as performing it in every way on your bass.

To better understand a scale, you should start by putting your bass down and picking up some staff paper. (For the purpose of this lesson, I will use the C major scale for all of the exercises. Be sure to apply these exercises to all the scales you know and all the scales you want to learn.)

With your pen and paper, do the following:

1. Write out the notes of the one-octave scale. (ie: C D E F G A B C) Memorize the notes so you will not be limited to playing just a scale shape.
2. Circle the first, third, fifth and seventh notes. (ie: C E G B) These notes are the chord tones for the scale. Once you analyze them you will know which chord this scale is related to. (The C major scale is directly related to the Cmaj7 chord.) If you do not know which chord or chords your scale goes with, how will you ever know when to use it? If you have a hard time defining which chord the chord tones create, check out one of the many bass forums online. I am sure they will answer your question.

Step One:
Play the one octave scale, ascending and descending, from every root that can be found on the E and A strings (and the B string when available).

Step Two:
Play the one octave scale, ascending and descending, on only two strings.

Step Three:
Play the one octave scale, ascending and descending, on only one string.

Step Four:
Play the one octave scale(and then in two octaves) ascending and descending, in thirds.

Step Five:
Play the one octave scale(and then in two octaves), ascending and descending, in thirds.

Step Six:
Play the one octave scale(and then in two octaves), ascending and descending, in runs of four.

Step Seven:
Play the one octave scale(and then in two octaves), ascending and descending, using the pattern below.