In this post, I'll be breaking down the harmonic minor scale for bass guitar. The minor scales in music are particularly interesting because of the number of different minor scales that there are. The problem also comes from being able to keep them all in line and remember all of them! In this section, I wanted to cover specifically the harmonic minor scale and draw … [Read more...] about Scales in 300 Words Part 3: Harmonic Minor (Lots of Pics!)
Lessons and Tips
Slap Bass Chronicles 1: Slap With The Bone of Your Finger
Early on, players looking to delve into the world of slap bass can experience a number of pitfalls along the way with their slap bass technique. For one, players might not be slapping with the best part of their right thumb. Often times, I've seen beginning players slap with the meaty part of their thumb or even as twisted down as the thumb pad. Not to say this is wrong … [Read more...] about Slap Bass Chronicles 1: Slap With The Bone of Your Finger
Let’s Master Minor Scales for Bass in Under 300 Words Together
Here comes part 2! If you missed part 1, major scales on bass guitar, check it out! Like I did in my previous post about patterns in the major scale, this is a companion piece where I'll break down minor scales, specifically Natural Minor scales (what we think of when we hear "minor scale" and reveal the patterns in the same way. One point I wanted to address why are you … [Read more...] about Let’s Master Minor Scales for Bass in Under 300 Words Together
Master Major Scales for Bass Guitar in 300 Words (And Some Pictures)
Scouring the Internet, I kind of taken for a loop by the lack of simply straight-forward approach to scales and music theory for music and bass guitar. Many of these concepts, I've found are strongly pattern-oriented and so few outlets make notice of how apparent these patterns really are and how it can take so much of the pain out of learning these musical concepts. So this … [Read more...] about Master Major Scales for Bass Guitar in 300 Words (And Some Pictures)
Learning to Play Jazz? Why You Should Start Learning Chords Before Scales
When bass players learn beginn learning music, they often turn to scales first. Many bass players that I've seen put a disproportionate amount of energy on learning the scales and playing the scales and simultaneously using these scale routines to limit their playing. They begin to only think in terms of linear associations of notes. For bass players, this is not a … [Read more...] about Learning to Play Jazz? Why You Should Start Learning Chords Before Scales
You’re Probably Playing Too Many Chromatic Tones. Here How I Know.
Chromatic notes are often the most over looked aspect of playing music. So often, we are focused on playing scales and chords and the chord tones associated with them and playing the "right" notes while avoiding the "wrong" notes. But sometimes, there's a time and a place for the "wrong" notes in music and those notes serve a particular purpose. In jazz, they add interest and … [Read more...] about You’re Probably Playing Too Many Chromatic Tones. Here How I Know.
One Big Tip to Improve Your Slap-Pop Technique
When slapping and popping, most of our natural instincts are to put our pops on beats 2 and 4. Which, when you think about it, makes sense. Larry Graham, the pioneer of slap bass, in numerous interviews has explained that his mentality for developing slapping and popping was to replicate the drum set. So it makes sense that the sharp, snapping sound of a pop “feels right” on 2 … [Read more...] about One Big Tip to Improve Your Slap-Pop Technique
One Big Tip on Making Your Walking Bass Lines Move
If you’re anything like what I was, whenever I tried to make a walking bass line, the number one problem I encountered was that I would “run out of notes” or not have any idea really where to go or what to do. As the chords continued to wiz past me, I would fall farther and farther behind and my urge to give up would grow and grow. For years I avoided walking bass lines … [Read more...] about One Big Tip on Making Your Walking Bass Lines Move