Triad shapes on the bass
Play every triad type as a movable shape from roots on the E and A strings.
Triads on the bass are interval shapes from lesson 4.3, joined together. Learn four shapes and you can play any triad in any key.
The four shapes
From a root at fret f, the notes of each triad are at these places:
| Triad | 3rd | 5th | Octave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | next string, f−1 | next string, f+2 | two strings up, f+2 |
| Minor | next string, f−2 | next string, f+2 | two strings up, f+2 |
| Diminished | next string, f−2 | next string, f+1 | two strings up, f+2 |
| Augmented | next string, f−1 | next string, f+3 | two strings up, f+2 |
The extended shape
An extended shape adds the 5th below the root: the same fret, one string lower. This gives 5–1–3–5 in one position, the most used arpeggio area on the bass.
Moving them
These shapes are movable: put the root on the right note and you have the chord in any key. A root on the E string covers roots from F (fret 1) to E (fret 12). A root on the A string covers B♭ to A. The Chords for Bass tool shows every triad from every root in a 5-fret window, with the same color coding.
Play major, minor, diminished and augmented arpeggios with the root at fret 5 on the E string (A), then at fret 5 on the A string (D). Say “1 3 5 8” (or ♭3, ♭5, ♯5) as you play.
New terms
Tools
- Chords for Bass: Every common chord type on all 12 roots, as a 5-fret box for 4- and 5-string bass, with spelled notes and formulas.