Bass Guitar Scales
Natural and Harmonic Minor

-Natural and Harmonic Minor These minor bass guitar scales are fun to play and hear and they have an added bonus in that you get TWO scales for the price of one!

The Natural Minor Scale
This first scale begins on and is names after the 4th string. Use your 1st and 3rd fingers if you want to slide to the 3rd note on a string. Otherwise, use your 1st, 3rd, and 4th. Do you know what note is on the 1st fret of the 4th string? Yes--it's "F". This is the "F" Natural Minor Scale. The Gray dots indicate the "root" or name of the scale.

Learn Bass Guitar Scales!

This form of the Natural Minor scale begins on the 3rd string. The note that is on the 1st fret of the 3rd string is "Bb", so this is a "Bb" Natural Minor Scale. Finger it the same as you did the scale that started on the 4th string. Before we do the next scale, it is important to note that there is a WHOLE step(skip a fret)between the 7th an 8th notes in the natural minor scale.


The Harmonic Minor Scale Do you see that between the 7th and 8th notes in this scale, there is a HALF STEP (very next fret)? That is what makes this one a HARMONIC MINOR scale. Play it--it may sound a little strange at first, but you will grow to love it. The Fingering for this on is: 234 234 23 124. You can also use your third finger to slide to the 3rd notes on the 3rd and 4th strings. What note is on the 2nd fret of the 4th string? This is the F# Harmonic Minor Scale.

This one begins on the 3rd string, 1st fret--a Bb (B flat)harmonic minor scale. Memorize these scales and practice them faithfully. Practice both forms until you are able to play them smoothly and make them sound like music. If you don't have a metronome, now would be a great time to invest in one.



This is an inexpensive metronome which will help to make your scale practice MUCH more profitable.
These, and ALL scales, are the foundation of your playing. Learn them well and you will never regret the time you spent learning them!

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