BazzLow
ENIT
Module 5 · Lesson 3

Major scale fingerings

Play the major scale in any key with movable shapes.

Before this lesson: 5.2 Scale degrees · 0.3 Reading the diagrams

You know the formula. Now you need a way to play it without calculating every fret. On the bass the answer is a shape you can move.

Shapes

A scale pattern played across strings is a shape. Move it so its root sits on another note and you play the same scale in that key (lesson 4.3). This makes it a movable shape.

The one-octave shape

With the root on the E or A string, and the 2nd finger on the root, the major scale fits in a 4-fret span. With the root at fret f:

  • root string: degrees 1 and 2, at frets f and f+2, with fingers 2 and 4;
  • next string up: degrees 3, 4 and 5, at frets f−1, f and f+2, with fingers 1, 2 and 4;
  • next string up: degrees 6, 7 and 8, at frets f−1, f+1 and f+2, with fingers 1, 3 and 4.

On a 4-string bass this shape needs the root on the E or A string: with the root on the D string there are not three strings to climb.

TonicThirdFifthSeventh2nd, 4th, 6th
Bass neck, frets 0–12The one-octave shape with the root at fret 5 on the E string (A major), with degree numbers: E string frets 5 and 7 (degrees 1, 2); A string frets 4, 5, 7 (3, 4, 5); D string frets 4, 6, 7 (6, 7, 8). Notes: A B | C♯ D E | F♯ G♯ A.DAE34567812345678
The one-octave shape with the root at fret 5 on the E string (A major), with degree numbers: E string frets 5 and 7 (degrees 1, 2); A string frets 4, 5, 7 (3, 4, 5); D string frets 4, 6, 7 (6, 7, 8). Notes: A B | C♯ D E | F♯ G♯ A.
Bass neck, frets 0–12The same shape with finger numbers: E string 2, 4; A string 1, 2, 4; D string 1, 3, 4.DAE34567824124134
The same shape with finger numbers: E string 2, 4; A string 1, 2, 4; D string 1, 3, 4.
TonicThirdFifthSeventh2nd, 4th, 6th
Bass neck, frets 0–12The same shape with the root at fret 3 on the A string (C major): C D | E F G | A B C. The fret numbers inside the shape are the same relative to the root.GDA123456CDEFGABC
The same shape with the root at fret 3 on the A string (C major): C D | E F G | A B C. The fret numbers inside the shape are the same relative to the root.

Two octaves

Two-octave patterns combine shapes with a shift along the neck. This is F major from F at fret 1 on the E string to F at fret 10 on the G string.

TonicThirdFifthSeventh2nd, 4th, 6th
Bass neck, frets 0–12The F major scale over two octaves: F G on the E string (frets 1, 3); A B♭ C on the A string (frets 0, 1, 3); D E F G on the D string (frets 0, 2, 3, 5); then A B♭ C D E F on the G string (frets 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10).GDAE0123456789101112FGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEF
The F major scale over two octaves: F G on the E string (frets 1, 3); A B♭ C on the A string (frets 0, 1, 3); D E F G on the D string (frets 0, 2, 3, 5); then A B♭ C D E F on the G string (frets 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10).

Other ways to play it

You can also play the formula on a single string (lesson 5.1), which is useful for seeing the intervals and for moving along the neck. Other systems exist, for example “three notes per string”. All of them play the same notes: choose by comfort and by where the music sits on the neck.

The goal is not the shape itself but knowing which degree each finger is on. Use the Degrees view of the diagrams.

Try it

Play the first diagram up and down slowly. Then move the shape to the roots G (fret 3 on the E string), B♭ (fret 6) and D (fret 5 on the A string). Say the key name each time.

New terms

Tools

  • Bass Map: Arpeggios, circle of fifths, natural harmonics, modes and scales on the bass neck, in any key.
  • Key Chords: The chords of every major and minor key, chosen on the circle of fifths, with bass boxes and common progressions.