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> How to Clean your Bass Guitar <

> What is Bass Guitar Intonation <

> Setting Intonation on Bass Guitar <

> Basic Rhythms for Bass Guitar <

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> Chord Finder for Bass Guitar <

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Notation reading - Bass Clef

Ups!
I don't know how does it work for you, but when I started to learn reading music, this was my biggest problem. I really wanted to became literate. Music literate. ASAP. But damn Bass key drove me crazy.

First, here's the definition (the way it is in dictionary):

A clef (from the French for "key") is a musical symbol used to indicate the pitch of written notes. Placed on one of the lines at the beginning of the staff, it indicates the name and pitch of the notes on that line. This line serves as a reference point by which the names of the notes on any other line or space of the staff may be determined.



Bass Clef:

''a symbol placed on the fourth line of a staff to indicate that the fourth line of the staff corresponds to the F next below middle C; F clef''

''a symbol indicating that the fourth line from the bottom of a staff represents the pitch of F below middle C. Also called F clef. ''



What can Bass Clef do?
The bass clef lets you write lower notes covering octaves one (1) and two (2).

Please keep in mind (if you already don't know) - don't mix up staff (stave, or the lines for music notes) with tablatures! Tablature diagram represents strings on your bass guitar.
Notation is just a way of organizing music, so the other musicians could also read it.

Ok. It's enough for start. Now, it's your turn. You should be able to to name a note on the staff (stave) in your sleep! After some practice, of course.

Fun way to do it is remembering the sentence ''Good Boys Desevre Fruit Always'' (the lines on the bass clef staff that correspond to the letters G B D F A), and All Cows Eat Grass (the spaces on the bass clef staff correspond to the letters A C E G).

This is allright, but there's a way better (and faster) way to do it. Online of course. There's a little program (think of it as a game) where your mission is to name the random notes shown on the picture (staff). Cool thing is that every time you make a mistake, you get a un-happy face, when you're correct - smiley!
Here's the link. Check it out. Note reading - Bass clef

Major scale for Bass Guitar

Ok. Everybody knows what is a scale, right? There's nothing to know really... It's just a bunch of tones in some kind of pattern, and depending on that pattern, we've got a scale with a certain name. Heh. But, they are very important for developing technique, ear, and especially for creating great bass guitar lines.

Let's say something about MAJOR SCALE.
The major scale is always the starting point for music theory. Why? Don't know, but it works.
Major scale has 7 different notes. For example, G major scale G - A - B - C - D - E - F#.
After this, it starts all over again. So after F# you are back to G. Ok.
The root note of G Major scale is, you guess - G. But, it's not a rule that your scale has to start with G, or even end with one. Important thing, when you play in G, is that you hitting the notes that are in G Major pattern (G - A - B - C - D - E - F#).

Here are 5 different positions on the neck:

How to apply thi to other tones? A or B or C major?

Here's the pattern. We know the alphabet. C - C# - D - D# - E - F - F# - G - G# - A - Bb - B - C
Sometimes there are some differences in writing the letters, but you get it.
There's a whole tone (w) and half tone (h). From C - D is whole tone, from C - C# is half. Ok.
The pattern

Major: w w h w w w h
Minor: w h w w h w w

If we apply that to our G major, we get G - A - B - C - D - E - F#- G(startin from G, ofcourse).
If we do the same with C major, we get C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

That's about it....enjoy!

Bass Guitar Scales: Major and Minor Scale

This time, I'll say something about scales. In this case, the Major and Minor scale (7 tone scales) for Bass Guitar. What is the difference?
The main difference is one essential note – the third.

This fellow 'third' gives your major scale bright, cheer sound, and to minor scale dark and sad one. A minor 3rd is one note lower than a major 3rd.
Familiar with chords on guitar, or bass guitar? Know how you can feel the difference when you hear the both? Well, it's same thing with scales. Nothing special, or hard.

My advice is to practice them often. Sometimes they can sound dull and boring, but play with someone, or some samples, it'll become more interesting...
Practicing scales will get your fingers go crazy on the fretboard in no time!

Let's get practical!
Example of C major scale : C · D · E · F · G · A · B · C

Modes of C Major:

• Ionian: C D E F G A B C
• Dorian: D E F G A B C D
• Phrygian: E F G A B C D E
• Lydian: F G A B C D E F
• Mixolydian: G A B C D E F G
• Aeolian: A B C D E F G A
• Locrian: B C D E F G A B

What is a MODE? A mode is collection of notes from a parent scale, and emphasized starting at a particular note from the parent scale. The make your scale sound great.

Here are the general finger positions for 7 tone major scale modes :

Here's a video of D Dorian scale:




Happy playing!

Basic Rhythms for Bass Guitar

RHYTHMS FOR BASS GUITAR

Why is rhythm important? For starters, bassists are a part of the rhythm section which consists of bassist, drummer, and other instruments playing a rhythmic role . Rhythm section is the most important thing in the band. It's called it's backbone. Knowing how to keep rhythm and playing with drums is an essential skill for any bass player.


As a Bass player, you have to work on your rhythm. Without it, or with a bad one, you're a bad player. Don't get depressed now, we all have rhythm inside! But, yo'll also have to practice a little bit...different styles, practice over chords, scales, arpeggios.. Also mix styles. That could be fun.

Remember, an effective bass part can be played using just two or three notes, but they have to be played with a good rhythmic feeling.

Now, here are some basic rhythm patterns to jam with:

- FUNK
- SOUL AND MOTOWN
- ROCK
- WALKING BASS LINE
- SIMPLE DOTTED QUARTER PATTERN
- COUNTRY PATTERN

I'm not starting to be theoretical and all, but I think you should spend some time with Rhythm music theory. May that be from the books, videos, people, friends - doesn't matter. Just do it.

Here's the example of famous rock rhythm pattern:






one more here...

Double thumb slapping for Bass Guitar

For the beginner bass guitarist, this move where the thumb is used like a guitar pick is deceptive. It really looks simple, but it's not. Nor it is so hard...a little practice and feeling, and you're there.

Slapping is fast, structured tap of the string and "double" refers to the two sounds you get from depressing and then releasing the string.

Here are some live examples to see what it's all about:


and some more...






That's about it....enjoy!

Spider Technique Excercise for Bass Guitar

SPIDER TECHNIQUE

It's a great way to practice left hand coordination and strength. Remember to practice slowly at first to get it down tightly, go for constancy instead of speed. No one likes a sloppy bass player!

The spider walk gives bass players a simple series of moves that create confidence in fingering while subconsciously establishing the finger movement pattern that lets them play effortlessly.

Try to keep all your fingers down as much as possible, and keep long note lengths. You can bow them "as comes" or make up some bowings. For electric bass, try alternating the Right Hand plucking. As always, stop if you feel pain.

Here are some exercises:

! CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ZOOM !

1.
2.
3.

And a link to a video lesson for spider technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVCUf2jkQyM

Enjoy!