Online Bass Instruction with Rusty Springfield
Scale Fingering

Though you probably won't be asked to play them on a gig, scales (and their variations) are great for gaining dexterity and fingerboard knowledge. They aren't difficult to learn. Let's jump right in!


Numbers = Fingers Used
Major Scales

The most fundamental and "beginner friendly" scale is C major, so we'll start there. For diagramming, we'll use vertical tablature. (Note: the vertical lines represent the strings, the horizontal lines represent the frets, and the numbers represent the fingers used.)

Once you feel comfortable with this key, practice this scale up and down the neck in all keys. Think of the fingering as "modular"- it works in any key.

It's important to keep your fretting fingers close to the fingerboard when you're playing to maximize efficiency and speed. I use the "classical" approach, which teaches the student to hold the strings down using the first finger to help the second, the first and second to help the third, and all four when employing the little finger. This technique gives the added benefit of preventing the string from ringing as you lift your finger. If you are just learning the note names and positions, try learning three frets at a time, until you've memorized the entire fretboard.


Numbers = Fingers Used
Minor Scales

There are several types of minor scales, but they all have one thing in common: a flatted third.

For now, let's concentrate on the "natural" minor. Natural minor scales are built on the sixth degree of it's relative major key, and the chord built from it is therefore called, mysteriously, a relative minor. Simply count down two degrees from a major key and you have it's relative minor:

C major = A minor
G major = E minor
F major = D minor, etc.

The diagram to the left shows the fingering of a C natural minor scale.
Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales

There are two other commonly used minor scales, which you should be aware of. They are the "harmonic" minor and "melodic" minor scales. As you can see from the diagrams below, the harmonic minor scale contains a raised seventh, compared to the natural minor scale.

The melodic minor scale contains a raised sixth and seventh as compared to the natural minor scale. Common music theory teaches that it is used in an ascending line whereas the natural minor is used when descending.


Numbers = Fingers Used

Numbers = Fingers Used
Go to the next lesson: Key Signatures