bassic fundamentals module 1 workbook - talkingbass€¦ · bassic fundamentals module 1 workbook...

Bassic Fundamentals Module 1 Workbook

Contents 1-1: Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4

Lesson 1-2: Practice Tips & Warmups .................................................................................................. 5

Lesson 1-3: Tuning ................................................................................................................................ 5

Lesson 1-4: Strings ................................................................................................................................ 5

Lesson 1-6: Notes Of The Fretboard .................................................................................................... 6

1. Note Names .............................................................................................................................. 6

2. Fret Markers ............................................................................................................................. 6

3. The 12th Fret .............................................................................................................................. 6

4. Notes By Fret Marker ................................................................................................................ 7

5. Accidentals ................................................................................................................................ 7

Lesson 1-7: Major Scales & Keys .......................................................................................................... 9

1. The Major Scale ........................................................................................................................ 9

2. One Finger Per Fret ................................................................................................................... 9

3. Descending Scale Exercise (A string) ....................................................................................... 11

4. Major & Minor Keys ................................................................................................................ 12

5. Scale Degrees .......................................................................................................................... 12

Lesson 1-8: Intervals........................................................................................................................... 13

1. Intervals by Basic Scale Degree ............................................................................................... 13

2. Interval Pattern Exercise ......................................................................................................... 14

3. Interval Qualities ..................................................................................................................... 14

Lesson 1-9: Minor Scales & Keys ........................................................................................................ 16

1. The Natural Minor Scale: ........................................................................................................ 16

2. Natural Minor Descending Exercise ........................................................................................ 17

3. Intervals Of The Natural Minor Scale ...................................................................................... 18

Lesson 1-10: Major & Minor Arpeggios ............................................................................................. 19

Lesson 1-11: Chord Charts & Symbols ............................................................................................... 20

1. Basic Lead Sheet ..................................................................................................................... 20

2. Basic Chord Chart .................................................................................................................... 20

3. Slash Notation ......................................................................................................................... 21

4. Following a Chord Chart .......................................................................................................... 21

5. Chord Symbols ........................................................................................................................ 22

6. Slash Chords ............................................................................................................................ 22

7. Chord Symbol Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 22

Chord Symbol Reference Guide ...................................................................................................... 23

1


Triads: ......................................................................................................................................... 23

Seventh Chords ........................................................................................................................... 23

Added Note Chords ..................................................................................................................... 23

Suspended Chords .......................................................................................................................... 23

Lesson 1-12: Drums & Drumbeats ..................................................................................................... 24

1. Parts Of The Drumkit: ............................................................................................................. 24

2. Counting Exercises .................................................................................................................. 26

3. Rhythm Exercises (with bass) .................................................................................................. 26

4. Locking In With A Drumbeat ................................................................................................... 27

5. Pedal Bass Lines ...................................................................................................................... 27

Lesson 1-13: Riffs................................................................................................................................ 28

1. You Really Got Me ................................................................................................................... 28

2. Walking On The Moon ............................................................................................................ 28

Lesson 1-14: Applying Music Theory.................................................................................................. 29

1. Learning New Material ............................................................................................................ 29

2. Creating Bass Lines .................................................................................................................. 29

3. Using Individual Chord Tones .................................................................................................. 31

The Octave .................................................................................................................................. 31

The 5th ........................................................................................................................................ 31

Combining the Octave and 5th ................................................................................................... 31

5th below the Root ...................................................................................................................... 32

The 3rd ......................................................................................................................................... 32

Complete Arpeggio ..................................................................................................................... 32

Lesson 1-15: Chord By Number .......................................................................................................... 33

1. Scale Degrees .......................................................................................................................... 33

2. Roman Numerals .................................................................................................................... 33

3. Chord Qualities ....................................................................................................................... 34

4. Chord Progressions ................................................................................................................. 34

Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in C ........................................................................................................ 35

Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in G ........................................................................................................ 35

5. Popular Chord Progressions .................................................................................................... 35

Progression: I – I – IV – V ............................................................................................................. 35

Progression: I – IV – I – V ............................................................................................................. 36

Progression: I – V – vi – IV ........................................................................................................... 36

Lesson 1-16: Seventh Chords ............................................................................................................. 37

1. Major 7 Chord ......................................................................................................................... 37

2


2. Dominant 7 Chord ................................................................................................................... 37

3. Minor 7 Chord ......................................................................................................................... 38

4. Minor 7 Flat 5 Chord ............................................................................................................... 38

5. Seventh Chords in a Progression ............................................................................................. 38

Arpeggio Patterns: ...................................................................................................................... 39

Applying Arpeggios To Chord Progression .................................................................................. 40

Including The Octave................................................................................................................... 41

Back To The 5th: ........................................................................................................................... 41

6. Minor 7 b5 in a Progression .................................................................................................... 41

New Arpeggio: ............................................................................................................................ 41

Working Through The Progression .............................................................................................. 42

3



1-1: Introduction

Welcome to the Bassic Fundamentals course. This course is aimed at providing you with a core foundation of skills and knowledge that will enable you to move smoothly onto any other areas of bass study. Even though the course concentrates on the basic fundamentals of bass guitar and playing, the material is intended for players of any level from beginner to advanced and aims to fill in any holes in that foundation. All players, regardless of ability level, will benefit from re-assessing the basics.

The course is split into four main modules:

• Module 1: The Core Foundation • Module 2: Technique • Module 3: Bass Tone & Setup • Module 4: The Next Step

Module 1 deals with a general core foundation of skills and covers all the basic areas of bass ‘knowledge’. This includes essential skills such as tuning and restringing the instrument, the basics of music theory and harmony, notes of the fretboard and some important practical tips on warmups, reading chord charts, playing with a drummer and applying theory.

Module 2 is much more specific and focuses on individual aspects of technique. This involves putting both the left and right hand under the musical microscope and ironing out any problems. This module also looks at other more expressive areas of technique and effects such as legato, slides, ghost notes, slapping and harmonics.

Module 3 is less playing intensive and looks at bass tone, effects and setup. Many different aspects of sound are covered from the impact of playing technique through to pickups, tone controls and effects. There is also a step-by-step guide to bass setup involving adjustment of the truss rod, action, intonation and pickup height.

Module 4 looks to the future of your bass playing and practice. There is an introduction to sight reading, tips on practice and use of the metronome, advice on playing in a band and I also set out my R.A.I.S.E approach to bass study.

Work through each module in turn and avoid skipping through topics. The course works as a whole and certain lessons will rely on the knowledge gained in earlier videos.

4


Lesson 1-2: Practice Tips & Warmups

Warmup Routine 1. (If Cold) Physically Warmup - Soak Hands 2. Hand Massage 3. Hand Stretch 4. Hand Shake 5. Play Simple Songs

Lesson 1-3: Tuning

Quick Guide to Pitch Frequencies of the 4 String Bass (all numbers are in hz): G 98

G# 104

A 110

A# 110

B 123

C 131

C# 139

D 147

D# 156

E 165

F 175

F# 185

G 196

G# 208

A 220

A# 233

B 247

C 262

C# 277

D 294

D# 311

E 330

F 349

F# 370

G 392

D 73

D# 78

E 82

F 87

F# 92

G 98

G# 104

A 110

A# 110

B 123

C 131

C# 139

D 147

D# 156

E 165

F 175

F# 185

G 196

G# 208

A 220

A# 233

B 247

C 262

C# 277

D 294

A 55

A# 58

B 62

C 65

C# 69

D 73

D# 78

E 82

F 87

F# 92

G 98

G# 104

A 110

A# 110

B 123

C 131

C# 139

D 147

D# 156

E 165

F 175

F# 185

G 196

G# 208

A 220

E 41

F 44

F# 46

G 49

G# 52

A 55

A# 58

B 62

C 65

C# 69

D 73

D# 78

E 82

F 87

F# 92

G 98

G# 104

A 110

A# 110

B 123

C 131

C# 139

D 147

D# 156

E 165

1 3 5 7 9 12 15 17 19 21 24

Lesson 1-4: Strings

The scale length of a bass guitar is measured from the bridge saddles to the nut:

5


Lesson 1-6: Notes Of The Fretboard 1. Note Names

The notes we use in general Western music follow the alphabetic sequence of A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

There is a distance of a Whole Step (2 frets) between most of these notes with the exception of B to C and E to F. These notes are separated by a Half Step (1 fret).

This order of notes and the respective whole step/half step distances can be seen on an A string as follows:

Time: 00:49

2. Fret Markers

The fret markers of the bass occur at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th frets. A double fret marker is placed at the 12th fret:

Time: 02:17

Fret Markers: 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th

3. The 12th Fret The 12th fret is a repeat of the notes at the open string, an octave higher:

Time: 02:56

6


The fret markers beyond the 12th fret are a simple repeat of those below the 12th fret. So by learning the notes below the 12th fret we are also learning those above:

Time: 03:13

4. Notes By Fret Marker We can use the fret markers as a guide in learning the notes on the neck:

Time: 3:47

If we include the open E string and low F (1st fret) we have the following set of notes from E to E:

Time: 07:26

5. Accidentals If the note has no flat or sharp it is a Natural Note. Sharp and flat notes are referred to as Accidentals.

• C, D, E, F, G, A and B are all Natural Notes • C#, D#, F#, G#, A#, Db, Eb, Gb, Ab and Bb are all Accidentals

Accidentals are created as follows:

• Sharp Notes are notes a half step (one fret) above a natural note. • Flat Notes are notes a half step (one fret) below a natural note.

7


Time: 23:44

All accidentals can be either a sharp or flat depending on the context. If we look at the sharp notes based on our fret marker notes we have the following set of notes:

If we look at the flat notes based on the fret marker notes we find the following:

Notice how these are the same notes on the same frets but the labels are different depending on whether we want sharps or flats.

Separate Fret Marker Exercise sheets and the accompanying backing tracks are included with this Workbook. See Download.

8


Lesson 1-7: Major Scales & Keys

1. The Major Scale A Scale is a sequence of notes in alphabetic order from a note to its octave. The following sequence is known as the C Major Scale:

C D E F G A B The most popular way to play a Major Scale on bass is as follows:

Time: 01:45

2. One Finger Per Fret A finger can be assigned to each fret in order as follows:

Time: 03:23

We can apply this one finger per fret system to the Major Scale as follows:

Time: 04:12

9


This fingering pattern/fretboard shape can be moved around the neck allowing us to play any scale we require:

D Major: Time: 05:35

G Major Time: 06:59

10


Ab Major Time: 07:07

3. Descending Scale Exercise (A string) Time: 08:06

11


Note: The same exercise can be performed working down the E string.

4. Major & Minor Keys Time: 09:53

Scales are used as a general palette of notes when playing in a particular key. In the key of C major we would use the C major scale, in the key of G major we use the G Major scale etc.

In terms of the sound, Major keys tend to be happy, minor keys tend to be sad. However, this is a very general rule of thumb.

5. Scale Degrees All notes in a scale can be numbered. The notes of C major would be labelled as follows:

Time: 11:46

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

C D E F G A B

12


Lesson 1-8: Intervals 1. Intervals by Basic Scale Degree

The basic Interval patterns are originally derived from the scale degrees of the Major Scale:

Time: 00:07

Each interval pattern can also be seen in isolation:

Time: 04:21

2nd 3rd

4th 5th

6th 7th

Octave

13


Once you have the intervals memorised you can start to see everything you play as a combination of intervals. For example the following bassline could be seen as the intervals 1 3 5 3:

Time: 07:56

1 3 5 3

2. Interval Pattern Exercise Play each interval descending, 1 fret at a time, from the 12th fret of the A string. Provided example is the Perfect 5th pattern but all other intervals follow the same process of moving down the fretboard one fret at a time:

Time: 09:10

3. Interval Qualities The simple interval numbers only cover 7 different measurements. If we want to label any other distances we need to understand interval qualities. All intervals have a number and a quality. The first intervals to learn are those we’ve already covered, the intervals derived from the Major Scale.

The Intervals of the Major Scale are as follows:

Time: 13:12

• Perfect 1st (Also called the Unison) • Major 2nd • Major 3rd • Perfect 4th • Perfect 5th • Major 6th • Major 7th • Perfect Octave

The best way to learn these patterns is by remembering that, in a Major Scale, the 1st, 4th and 5th are all perfect and the rest are Major.

14


Therefore, these intervals built from a root note of C would be as follows:

• C to C : Perfect Unison • C to D : Major 2nd • C to E : Major 3rd • C to F: Perfect 4th • C to G : Perfect 5th • C to A : Major 6th • C to B: Major 7th • C to C : Perfect Octave

The fretboard patterns would be as follows:

Time: 15:01

`` Major 2nd Major 3rd

Perfect 4th Perfect 5th

Major 6th Major 7th

Perfect Octave

15


Lesson 1-9: Minor Scales & Keys

1. The Natural Minor Scale: Time: 0:48

C Natural Minor Scale

Try moving the pattern around the neck. Here we have a D Natural Minor scale:

Time: 02:58

D Natural Minor Scale

16


And here we have a G Natural Minor Scale:

Time: 3:14

G Natural Minor Scale

2. Natural Minor Descending Exercise Practice the same descending exercise we played with the Major scale, but using the Natural Minor scale. Start at A, 12th fret of the A string and work down the fretboard, one fret at a time.

etc…

17


3. Intervals Of The Natural Minor Scale Major 2nd Minor 3rd

Perfect 4th Perfect 5th

Minor 6th Minor 7th

Perfect Octave

18


Lesson 1-10: Major & Minor Arpeggios Arpeggios are simply chords played one note at a time. The two most common arpeggios are those of the Major and Minor triads. Here we have a C Major Arpeggio:

Time: 02:38

C Major Arpeggio

Here we have a C Minor Arpeggio:

Time: 06:46

C Minor Arpeggio

Exercise: Practice moving these patterns around the fretboard and use the descending exercise we used with the scales and interviews – Move the shape down the fretboard from the 12th fret of the A string.

19


Lesson 1-11: Chord Charts & Symbols

1. Basic Lead Sheet This chart includes the chords and the melody in standard notation:

Time: 0:27

2. Basic Chord Chart This chart provides only the chords. No melody:

Time: 1:22

20


3. Slash Notation The chart displays the chords but we also have slash notation to outline the beats. Here we have 4 beats to a bar so we also have 4 slashes to a bar. Each slash represents a beat:

Time: 1:37

4. Following a Chord Chart Try following along with the chords in this chart:

Time: 03:42

SWING

21


5. Chord Symbols Every chord symbol is divided into 2 parts: The Root Note and the Chord Quality. The chord C Maj7 has a root note of C and a Major 7 chord quality.

We can easily play through a chord chart by simply sticking to the root notes. Try playing through the following chord chart:

Time: 06:11

6. Slash Chords Slash chords contain a bass note different to the root note of the chord. As bass players we have to play the bass note specified. So in the chord Cmaj7/E we would play the E.

Play along with the following progression:

Time: 9:00

7. Chord Symbol Alternatives Nearly every chord can be written differently depending on the style, composer or arranger. In some instances shapes are used. The most common are:

• Δ Major • - Minor • + Augmented • ° Diminished

22


Chord Symbol Reference Guide

Triads: • C Major C, CMaj, CM, CΔ, • C Minor Cm, Cmin, C- • C Augmented Caug, C+ • C Diminished Cdim, C°

Seventh Chords • C Major 7 CMaj7, CM7, CΔ7 • C7 C7 • C Minor 7 Cm7, Cmin7, C-7 • C Minor (Major7) Cm(Maj7), C-( Δ7) • C Major 7#5 CMaj7#5, CΔ7#5, CΔ7+ • C 7#5 C7#5, C7+, C+7, Caug7 • C Minor 7b5 Cm7b5, C-7b5, CØ • C Diminished 7 Cdim7, C°7

Added Note Chords • C6 • Cadd9 • C6/9 • Cm6 • Cm add9 • Cm6/9

Suspended Chords • Csus4 • Csus2

23


Lesson 1-12: Drums & Drumbeats 1. Parts Of The Drumkit:

The Complete Kit

The Bass Drum This has a low pitch sound made by pressing the pedal with the foot:

The Snare: This drum creates a loud crack made by striking with a stick, usually in the left hand.

24


Tom-Toms These drums have a medium to low pitch sound make by striking with a stick in either or both hands

Hi Hat This cymbal creates a sizzle sound used in keeping time, usually struck with a stick in the right hand.

Ride Cymbal This cymbal has a ringing sound and is also used to fill out the time, usually stuck with a stick in the

right hand.

25


2. Counting Exercises

Exercise #1 (Time: 10:56) Count only beat 1 of the bar eg. 1……1……1…. etc Exercise #2 (Time: 11:06) Count on each beat - 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 etc. Exercise #3 (Time: 11:13) As Exercise #2 but tap the foot. Exercise #3 (Time: 11:49) Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

Be sure to concentrate on both the beat, your foot tap and your count equally. This helps to internalise the pulse.

3. Rhythm Exercises (with bass)

Pluck on the red beat and hold

Exercise #1: Count 1 2 3 4 (count aloud) (Time: 14:50) Pluck 1 2 3 4 Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #2: Count 1 2 3 4 (count silently) (Time: 15:14) Pluck 1 2 3 4 Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #3: Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (count both aloud and silently) (Time: 15:33) Pluck 1 2 3 4 Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #4: Count 1 2 3 4 (count silently) (Time: 17:50) Pluck 1 2 3 4 Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #5: Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (Time: 18:44) Pluck 1 2 3 4 Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #6: Count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (Time: 19:28) Pluck 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and Foot 1 2 3 4 Exercise #7: Count 1 2 3 4 (Time: 21:01) Pluck 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and Foot 1 2 3 4

26


4. Locking In With A Drumbeat Time: 24:04

Bass Drum Pattern #1: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

Time: 29:44


Time: 31:42


5. Pedal Bass Lines Pedal bass lines are made up of straight 8th notes and give a very driving feel.

Time: 34:36

27


Lesson 1-13: Riffs 1. You Really Got Me

Time: 2:55

2. Walking On The Moon Time: 7:54

28


Lesson 1-14: Applying Music Theory 1. Learning New Material

The first and most useful application of music theory is that of simple communication. The following riff is taken from the song In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett:

Time: 0:36

The riff can be described in terms of frets:

Open E string, fourth fret E string, seventh fret E string, fifth fret of the E string, 4th fret of the A string and seventh fret of the A string

But it would be quicker to describe as note names:

E G# B, A C# E

Or even quicker in terms of the arpeggios:

E Major and A Major

Having a good knowledge of scales, arpeggios and intervals gives you a set of identifiable patterns that you can recognise in the music that you learn. This makes learning new material much more quickly.

2. Creating Bass Lines The following examples will all use the following basic chord progression:

C - G - Am - F First we can double the Root Notes:

Time: 04:49

29


Here are the arpeggios for each chord

(Time 7:09):

C Major

G Major

A Minor

F Major

30


3. Using Individual Chord Tones

The Octave (Time: 10:14)

The 5th (Time: 11:41)

Combining the Octave and 5th (Time: 13:28)

31


5th below the Root (Time: 14:17)

The 3rd (Time: 15:32)

Complete Arpeggio (Time: 17:00)

32


Lesson 1-15: Chord By Number

1. Scale Degrees The chord numbers are based on the degrees of a scale. In C major we have the following scale degrees:

Time:1:27

This gives us the following chord sequence:

Time: 1:46

• Chord 1: C • Chord 2: D • Chord 3: E • Chord 4: F • Chord 5: G • Chord 6: A • Chord 7: B

2. Roman Numerals When referring to chords within a key, the numbers are often written as Roman Numerals as follows:

Time: 2:11

• Chord I • Chord II • Chord III • Chord IV • Chord V • Chord VI • Chord VII

33


3. Chord Qualities The sequence of chord qualities in a major key are as follows:

Time: 2:27

• Chord 1 – Major • Chord 2 – Minor • Chord 3 – Minor • Chord 4 – Major • Chord 5 – Major • Chord 6 – Minor • Chord 7 – Diminished

Using this sequence we can work out the chord qualities for any key. The chords in the key of C Major are as follows:

Time: 2:59

• C Major • D Minor • E Minor • F Major • G Major • A Minor • B Diminished

Tip: Chords 1, 4 and 5 are major. The rest are minor except chord 7 which is diminished (the odd one out)

Using the sequence of chords in a major key we can move to other keys. The chords in the key of G Major would be as follows:

Time: 3:59

• G Major • A Minor • B Minor • C Major • D Major • E Minor • F# Diminished

4. Chord Progressions Once we’ve memorised the chords in a key we can refer to chord progressions by number. The popular 1625 (I-vi-ii-V) progression in C Major would be as follows:

Time:6:43

I vi ii V

C Am Dm G

34


Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in C Time: 8:08

If we transpose this progression to G Major we have the following:

Time: 8:43

I vi ii V

G Em Am D

Playalong : I – vi – ii – V in G Time: 10:56

5. Popular Chord Progressions

Progression: I – I – IV – V Time: 14:48

In the key of C Major: C –C – F – G

35


Progression: I – IV – I – V Time: 15:25

In the key of C Major: C – F – C – G

In the key of F Major: F – Bb – F – C

Time: 16:09

Progression: I – V – vi – IV Time: 17:21

In the key of Ab Major: Ab – Eb – Fm – Db

36


Lesson 1-16: Seventh Chords 1. Major 7 Chord

Time:0:46

CMaj7

2. Dominant 7 Chord Time: 2:53

C7

37


3. Minor 7 Chord Time: 4:31

Cm7

4. Minor 7 Flat 5 Chord Time: 5:36

Cm7b5

5. Seventh Chords in a Progression Time: 7:13

Progression : I – vi – ii – V in C

Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

38


Arpeggio Patterns: Time: 7:27

CMaj7

Am7

39


Dm7

G7

Applying Arpeggios To Chord Progression Time: 8:08

40


Including The Octave Time: 9:28

Back To The 5th: Time: 9:59

6. Minor 7 b5 in a Progression Time: 10:35

Progression #2 : I – vi – ii – V in C Minor

Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7b5 – G7

New Arpeggio: Time: 10:59

Dm7b5

41

bassic fundamentals module 1 workbook - talkingbass€¦ · bassic fundamentals module 1 workbook...

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