Bass Videos
The Five Essential Scales for The Bassist
The Five Essential Scales for The Bassist – Lessons For Bass Guitar Series…
Through my years of experience, I have had the opportunity to carefully study what are the fundamental scales for the bassist to groove in a song, play melodies, and even to play bass solos.
Next, I’m going to present the five scales, but all of them are going to be played in the tone of A, to facilitate the learning and understanding of each one of them.
The Major Scale
The Major Scale, also known as the Ionian mode, is the basis from which many scales and modes emerge. This scale is characterized by a happy sound and is used on major chords.
Example 1 – The A Major Scale
Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8
Notes: A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A
The A Natural Minor Scale
The Natural Minor Scale is also known as the Aeolian mode. It is the sixth mode of the major scale. It is characterized by having a dark, sad and melancholic sound and is used on minor chords.
Example 2 – The A Natural Minor Scale
Formula: 1 – 2 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b6 – b7 – 8
Notes: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A
The Pentatonic Scales
The pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave, in contrast to the heptatonic scale, which has seven notes per octave (like the major scale and natural minor scale). Pentatonics are the most used scales in music due to their easy application.
The minor pentatonic scale is relative to the major pentatonic scale. Therefore, both scales have the same notes but in a different order.
For example:
The C Major Pentatonic consists of C – D – E – G – A – C.
While the A Minor Pentatonic scale has the same notes, but in the following order: A – C – D – E – G – A.
Before delving deeper into both scales, it is important to know that these are the favorites when creating grooves, riffs, etc., in different musical styles such as rock, jazz, blues, among others.
The Major Pentatonic Scale
The major pentatonic scale is a five-note scale and differs from the major diatonic scale in those two notes, the 4th and 7th, are omitted.
It is common to see this scale in the Country music of the United States of America, as well as in Rock, Blues and Jazz. This scale is used on major chords and dominant seventh chords.
Example 3 – The A Major Pentatonic Scale
Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6 – 8
Notes: A – B – C# – E – F# – A
The Minor Pentatonic Scale
The minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale and differs from the minor diatonic scale in those two notes, the 2nd and 6th, are omitted.
Of the pentatonic scales, the minor scale is the most famous and even the most used, both for its ease of use and for its comfortable fingering. This scale is used on minor chords.
Example 4 – The A Minor Pentatonic Scale
Formula: 1 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b7 – 8
Notes: A – C – D – E – G – A
The Blues Scale
The blues scale is formed by adding a detuned “blue note” to an existing scale, in particular the addition of the flatted fifth to the minor pentatonic scale. This note gives the blues scale that unmistakably bluesy sound and is ideal for playing blues, rock, jazz, country music, etc. The scale is used on minor chords and dominant seventh chords.
Example 5 – The A Blues Scale/The A Minor Blues Scale
Formula: 1 – b3 – 4 – b5 – 5 – b7 – 8 or 1 – b3 – 4 – #4 – 5 b7 – 8
Notes: A – C – D – Eb – E – G – A
Visit online at jaimedavidvazquez.com
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes…
It is always great to meet a super busy bassist who simply exudes a love for music and his instrument. Erick “Jesus” Coomes fits this description exactly. Hailing from Southern California, “Jesus” co-founded and plays bass for Lettuce and has found his groove playing with numerous other musicians.
Join us as we hear of his musical journey, how he gets his sound, his ongoing projects, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Bob Forte
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Visit Online
www.lettucefunk.com
IG @jesuscsuperstar
FB@jesuscoomes
FB @lettucefunk
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com