One Secret To Great Bass Playing (Chord/Scale Relationships)

Never forget that a great bass line is always played with groove, feel, and unshakeable timing.

The right notes also help...

In this bass guitar tutorial, you will learn how every scale (or mode) has an arpeggio (also called chord tones) that fit together like a musical glove.

When you know this you can:

  • Make up bass lines with ease
  • Hear music much more easily
  • Play solos
  • Read chord charts and lead sheets
  • Become incredibly creative!

Scroll down for the backing tracks and PDFs.

Backing Tracks and PDF

The backing tracks and PDF for this lesson all come from my lesson:

How to Use Modes: A Guide For Bass Players

Click the link above for the chord progressions, scale/mode diagrams, and backing tracks.

Bass Practice

Make sure to study these lessons too:

The Only 4 Arpeggios You Need To Play (Most) Jazz Standards

Bass Guitar Music Theory: The 7 Arpeggios From C Major

Create Bass Lines With Only FOUR Arpeggios

Then start simple:

  1. Play a major scale then find the arpeggio (R 3 5 7)
  2. Do the same for the natural minor
  3. Then figure out the Dorian and Mixolydian. They figure a lot in funk and soul bass playing.
  4. Work up to improvising over the backing tracks. Start very simply! Then expand a little each practice session.

Related Bass Guitar Lessons

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