Today I’m going to show you a simple exercise that will help you improve your understanding of functional harmony and music theory, your overall technique, your knowledge of the bass guitar fretboard and your ability to play bass chords.
Chord Voicings
OK, so the basic opening exercise we’re going to learn is very simple. We just work up and back down through the triads within a major scale.
So first things first we need to know some basic triad voicings. For our first set we’ll be looking at the Closed Voicings with root notes on an A String:
For root notes on an E string we can use Open Voicings by raising the third an octave:
The Chord Exercise
- #1 Choose a key
- #2 Write out the Major Scale (by note)
- #3 Write out the Chords Of The Key
- #4 Play through the scale on a single string (start at the lowest point possible)
- #5 Play through the chords
- #6 Apply exercise to all keys (spend as long as needed on one key – days or even months)
Chords In A Major Key
As a guide, use the following list of chords in a major key:
- Chord 1: Major
- Chord 2: Minor
- Chord 3: Minor
- Chord 4: Major
- Chord 5: Major
- Chord 6: Minor
- Chord 7: Diminished
Great work Mark, easy to understand, follow and learn from.
After searching many online teachers you have the best teaching methods and approach by far.
I have already signed up with Scotts Bass but will shift over when I complete the lessons there.
You know Mark you always inspire me. My goal is to become educated on this bass fretboard.
I’m a guitar player for over 40 years, No I’m not satisfied because I have 80% of discipline ,but in order to achieve the next level I continue to listen and watch what you do and what you teach.
It comes from your heart.
It’s touched me in a way I went out and I purchased a left-handed sire Marcus Miller P10 active 4 string bass.
Yeah I love it.
I just need to put the time in.
The lessons you give are remarkable and a beautiful help.
I’m working on I was made to love her, I wish, and Sir Duke.
Man very potent information.
Thank you for everything you share with people around the world.
I wanted to buy the nerdy mute that you use it’s kind of pricey Is there really that much of an advantage?
but it does look good and it seems to be very effective.
And I know I would need flat-wound strings to complete the effect.
Oh well let me learn how to play this Bass and then I’ll move on.
Again I sincerely appreciate all the beautiful lessons you share. May you, your family, and all your loved ones and Friends be safe.
Sincerely Walter Mills the left-handed bloke.
Awesome lesson my brother.
Wow! Fantastic lesson! I’ve wanted to become a better chord player on bass and this lesson will help get me there.