Loading ...In this weeks training lesson I want to work through a few exercises in multiple keys. I typically present one key a week but I think it is good practice, especially if you hope to play certain genres of music, to generalize the techniques. Let us begin with the key of C major and then proceed to the first two [...]
The key of Db major! I can hear you all groaning now. Just remember it is merely a hiccup away from C major, everything is up one fret. I very rarely see this key but it does happen and therefore is helpful being acquainted. The Db major scale includes the first 5 flats in the order of flats, Bb Eb [...]
In this week’s training session I want to cover the Ab major scale and exploratory exercises. For beginner players, focus on memorizing the notes of the scale and where they are on your fretboard. More experienced players can play through the exercises, the scale in 5ths, rhythmic variations and sample bass line as well as add the scale exercise ideas [...]
Spring has sprung and training has begun! Just because we use our fine motor skills and not the gross ones does not mean we don’t work as hard as any of the ball players out there. They run laps and throw balls, we drill scales! In this weeks lesson I am tying in some old and introducing some new scale [...]
In this weeks lesson, I want to cover one of the most commonly used scales, the Pentatonic Minor. This scale comes from the natural minor scale. If you have never heard of the natural minor scale, that is the scale formed when you start any major scale on its’ 6th degree. For example, take the notes of your Bb major [...]
Okay, you’ve made up your mind to learn an instrument. You’ve bought a guitar/drums/keyboard/bass/trumpet, or whatever instrument you’ve fallen in love with, and you’ve signed up for lessons. Now what? Time to start a practice routine. When you join a sports team, it’s imperative to practice regularly. You’re trying to train your muscles to perform duties that may not be [...]
A chord is defined as any two or more notes played together. As bassists we are accustomed, most of the time, to playing in a linear fashion. It’s fun and important also to aquaint ourselves with the different chord qualities that emerge when combining 2 or more tones played simultaneously. The way I like to start this is with the [...]
This weeks lesson will cover the next in the series of flat scales, Bb Major. Along with the major scale I have also included some exercises geared towards introducing the idea of “Approach notes”. These are notes used when traveling between chords and help to offer a smooth transition from one chord to the next. First let’s check out the [...]
I introduced diatonic 7th chords a few weeks back and this week I want to focus on one chord type in particular, the minor 7th chord. In this lesson I will talk about the intervals involved in it’s construction and give three of my favorite bass lines that use these chord tones. If you remember the previous lesson, diatonic minor [...]
Hey Everyone, It’s been a few weeks since my last post and even longer since my last lesson. Last month was devoted mainly to interviews of Bass giants David Ellefson and Frank Bello, what a month! Check out the interviews if you have not already. They both have such a long, incredible history and musical journey and had great stories [...]
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