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By Graeme Carswell
Introduction
This bass guitar tutorial is all about how to play the G Major scale using 5 different positions on the neck.
A lot of music is based around the Major scale so of all the scales this is the most important you can familiarise yourself with. Being able to play it at different positions on the neck will give you flexibility of fingering on the neck, build up strength in your left hand, learn where all the notes are on the neck and it'll also allow you to play different notes (if you're doing a fill for instance) than you would perhaps normally play because you're forced to play from the scale in a different pattern.
Position 1 (Root Position)
*Guide Note*While playing these scales try to say out loud the names of the notes as you play them, it'll help you remember where those notes are on the neck.
1st Position of the G Major scale starts off on the root note, G, 3rd fret of the E String. The notes in the scale across the 4 strings (try to forget I'm playing a 5 string, I'm only using the E,A,D and G strings here) are:
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - A - B - C
Position 2
The 2nd Position starts on the A, 5th fret of the E string. The notes in the scale are in this position that I play here across the 4 strings are:
A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - A - B - C - D
Position 3
The 3rd Position starts on the B, 7th fret of the E string.
B - C - D - E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E
Position 4
The 4th Position starts on the D, 10th fret of the E string.
D - E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
Position 5
The 5th Position starts on the E, 12th fret of the E string.
E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - A
Conclusion
This exercise obviously only looks at the G Major scale. As a development of these 'patterns' or positions on the neck, why not try adapting them to other Major scales, A, B, C etc. Sound out the notes as you play them to build familiarity of where these notes are on the bass. It might seem strange at first or hard to play these scales starting on other notes than the root but keep practicing, up and down the scales to develop stamina and knowledge of the neck. Enjoy!
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About Graeme Carswell
Graeme has been playing bass for 19yrs now, having first found his love for the instrument after hearing The Spirit Of Radio by Rush. Graeme considers Geddy Lee as his teacher in the early days as he tried to learn all Rush's back catalogue, and since then has caught onto other inspiring artists like Marcus Miller, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooton, Chris Squire, Adam Nitti, Jaco and many more to influence his playing. "The internet has been a godsend...it makes it so easy to find, hear and watch inspiring musicians from across the globe".
Graeme has played in venues up and down the UK from small pubs with thriving music scenes in Pollockshaws, to The Armadillo in Glasgow. Graeme is currently involved with recording artist John Gilmour Smith, who was signed last year to Aquarian Nation Records. Graeme recorded bass on this John's first album on the label, due for release in 2010. Other than this he has been involved with many corporate acts as 'dep of choice', with his own prog rock covers band and newly formed functions bands Graeme is busier than ever it seems and is happy to be part of the Songstuff collaborative and looks forward to reviewing gear and taking care of bass-related articles.
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