Major Scale, One Position
Two-octave shape starting on the low E string.
Lesson
The major scale on bass
Two octaves, one position, no open strings. Once you know this shape you can move it anywhere on the neck to play the major scale in any key.
The shape, starting on the low E at the 3rd fret (G major)
- E string: 3 โ 5 โ 7 (G โ A โ B)
- A string: 3 โ 5 โ 7 (C โ D โ E)
- D string: 4 โ 5 โ 7 (Fโฏ โ G โ A)
- G string: 4 โ 5 โ 7 (B โ C โ D)
Recommended fingering
Use one finger per fret in the lower range. For the wider stretch on the D string (4โ5โ7), shift your hand up a fret as you cross over. Don't force it โ relax the wrist before each shift.
Move it around the neck
Start the same shape on the 5th fret of the low E for A major. 7th fret for B major. The frets change but the shape stays identical โ that's why bassists think in patterns, not in note names.
Practice plan
- Ascending only at 60 BPM, one note per click.
- Add descending โ same fingering in reverse.
- Improvise short melodies using only the scale notes. Land on the root every four bars.
Auto-completes when you've logged any Scale Identification session.
Practice in a Game
This lesson auto-completes when you hit the target in-game. Open the linked game and play until your stats meet the criteria.