Module 1 · Beginner

Notes and the fretboard

Every bass line ever written uses only twelve notes. This module names them, shows how they are spaced, and maps them onto your fretboard.

Before this module

1.1
The musical alphabet
Know the seven natural note names, how they repeat, and what an octave is.
Requires: 0.3
1.2
Half steps and whole steps
Measure distances between notes in half steps and whole steps, on one string.
Requires: 1.1
1.3
Sharps, flats and enharmonic notes
Name the notes between the natural notes, and understand why one pitch can have two names.
Requires: 1.2
1.4
The chromatic scale
Know the twelve notes in order and see that each fret is the next one.
Requires: 1.3
1.5
Mapping the fretboard
Find any natural note on any string, using landmarks and patterns.
Requires: 1.4
1.6
Octave shapes
Jump to the same note an octave higher or lower with a fixed hand shape.
Requires: 1.5
1.7
Natural harmonics
Know where natural harmonics sound on the bass, which notes they produce, and how they relate to the harmonic series.
Requires: 1.6

Bass Map: Arpeggios, circle of fifths, natural harmonics, modes and scales on the bass neck, in any key.