Killer Bass Exercise to Build Your Technique, Fluidity and Harmony Chops // Scott's Bass Lessons

In this lesson I'm going to show you one of my all time favourite technique exercises, deconstruct it piece by piece and also show you how you can apply it within your solo lines.
The great thing about this exercise is that not only does it really push your string crossing techniques to the limit - but by mastering it you will also learn all of the arpeggios that are within the major scale, all in one fingering position!
This exercise is great for your technique, your string crossing, and your harmony chops too. Three birds with one stone!
Ooo... and make sure you watch it to the end, as I also show you how you can take this exercise and start applying it to your solo lines too - it's super fun.
As always, see you in the shed...
Scott :)
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[@qu14torze82]

JUST IN CASE IT CAN HELP SOMEONE: From each of the notes within any major scale there is a chord built from it. An arpeggio is just a chord played one note at a time. 4:28 C major arpeggio 4:37 D minor arpeggio 4:41 E minor arpeggio 4:46 F major arpeggio 4:50 G dominant 7 arpeggio 4:54 A minor arpeggio 4:58 B minor 7 b5 arpeggio 7:49 ascending arpeggios 8:05 descending arpeggios Say the arpeggios as you play them: C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G dominant 7, A minor, B minor 7 b5. 13:07 Then say the notes with them: C, E, G, B D, F, A C E, G, B, D F, A, C, E G, B, D, F A, B, E, G B, D, F, A All of these arpeggios work on the C major chord/tonality.

[@weezahriah]

Thanks!!!

[@andresrichly3834]

Genious

[@kakilayer4]

Best comment bro thanks a lot

[@geneciccone4196]

How can the G and A have the same 3rd????

[@ErwanLegrand]

@@geneciccone4196 They can't! That's a typo obviously. Am7 is A, C, E, G and not A, B, E, G.

[@phatbassanchor]

Don't be too hard on yourself about plecking. A pick is also known as a plectrum. So, say pleck all you like! This is hands down the best lesson I've had in over 40 years of playing bass! This is a genuine 'light bulb' over the head, Eureka! moment for me. Thank you Scott! Keep on plecking!

[@caplo3364]

There is a big difference between now I can play jazz harmonically and past I didn't know knowledge of chord harmony well. 2 years ago, I could't understand this video's topic, but now I can absorb many information from this. Thanks for my great teacher scott devine, now I am on higher level than my past self.

[@RossCampoli]

Scott’s built such an amazing educational library here, for free. I’m a member at the website, but you can’t beat all these youtube lessons as great reminders and tips

[@wisecountryman49]

C major scale: 1. C major - Ionian mode 2. D minor -Dorian mode 3. E minor - Phrygian mode 4. F major - Lydian mode 5. G dominant - Mixolydian mode 6. A minor - Aeolian mode 7 B minor - Locrian mode Just start on the next note, and then the next one, and so on... and go trough all the notes of the arpegio, it will show you the light.

[@Phaidrus]

Amen!

[@idontmindatall]

c0d, what do you mean with start on the next note, and then the next one, and so on... thank you in advance.

[@ATthemusician]

@@idontmindatall if you're playing C in Ionian(mode 1) then you start on C, the root/first note. If you're playing in Dorian(mode 2) then you would start on the second note of the C scale, etc, etc.

[@idontmindatall]

@@ATthemusician Now I understand. Thank you very much!

[@afacankerem67]

@@ATthemusician By the way why do we go like C maj - D min - E min - F maj - G dom - A min - B min instead of all majors or minors, is there any specific reason behind that ?

[@jamesmondry3973]

This is brilliant. I love that you've used the 7th chords for the arpeggios. That really opens up a lot melodically for the musicians who practice this.

[@risenmyson]

You are the best thing that happened here in KZbin.

[@STREETBUCKETPERSON]

For the lazy: C Major Arpeggio G:-------------------- D:----------9--------- A:-------10----------- E:--8-12-------------- D Minor Arpeggio G:-------------------- D:-----------10-------- A:----8--12------------ E:-10------------------ E Minor Arpeggio G:-------------------- D:--------9---12------ A:----10-------------- E:-12----------------- F Major Arpeggio G:-------------9------ D:---------10--------- A:--8--12------------- E:-------------------- G Dominant 7th Arpeggio G:----------10-------- D:----9--12----------- A:-10----------------- E:-------------------- A Minor Arpeggio G:------9--12--------- D:----10-------------- A:-12----------------- E:-------------------- B Minor m7 b5 G:------ 10-14--------- D:-8-12---------------- A:-------------------- E:-------------------- C Major b7 G:----9--12--15----------- D:-10------------------ A:-------------------- E:--------------------

[@fredsavina5008]

,,i,,

[@Tmidiman]

Lesbian Spice Girls the last 2 need some correction, but the idea is there. Thanks for posting it. Helped me add it to GP much quicker.

[@TheEODM]

Thanks, I wish to practise my fingerboard but I don't know all of it yet ^^

[@mikaelolsson5333]

Great exersice and great tab explanation! Thank you. Translating english music vocabulary can be challanging sometimes.

[@jaimesemedo1675]

👍🏿🤓

[@milosmaricevic1958]

Putting the things where they ought to be. Love it.

[@paulbeahm3891]

Got a bass for my birthday. Its been a day and I feel like the tendons in my left arm have doubled in size

[@craigbachman5765]

GET YOUR BASS SET UP BY AN EXPERT LUTHIER

[@diogomanteu7148]

@@craigbachman5765 calm down

[@mattwissler6722]

I used to work pretty physical jobs, covid and blah blah blah shut that down for a while, I'm not a workout guyh and I'm pretty sure my muscles have all deminished except for my popeye forearrms. Just a tip though, try pressing as gently as you can with your fretting hand, I learnt mostly playing in punk / metal/ alt rock type bands where the point was playing as hard and fast as you could 24 /7. now I'm stuck in that hard squeeze habit and it does make fast fingering, chordy songs, etc far more tiring and difficult, and now as I progress up in skill level and am starting to get in to "shred" territory, I'm having to focus on unlearning that in order to get a lot of the really fret hand fast moves (plucking hand fast is fine.

[@gama9116]

@@mattwissler6722 you should make a video of your playing in rock, I just started about a month ago and are working on getting better

[@anthonycaraffa2422]

Scott, this was incredibly helpful. Fantastic content for any aspiring bassist, and once again, expertly delivered in a clear, concise and understandable way. Also, a great foundation for learning the scale modes without even mentioning them. That’s some Mr. Myagi “ wax on, wax off” teaching happening right there. Students will remember this lesson when they are ultimately introduced to the modes. 😊

[@phantomlord9694]

Hi Scott, I am a guitar player and I find your courses be valid on guitar too. And even better than other professional youtubers specialized on guitar. thumbs up!!!!!

[@teddydavis3504]

Bass lessons with Mr. Tumnus. Great lessons. I'm learning so much so fast.

[@joelgiroux3610]

Scott, this is such a fabulous lesson -- among so many that you share for free here on KZbin -- I return to it regularly. I love how you keep coming back to the Cmaj scale -- and all its modes, chords, and arpeggios -- as a point of focus for learning the entire fretboard, and for grasping the main tenets of music theory. Your generosity and brilliance as a player and teacher are unmatched anywhere online. Thank you.

[@tomanonym1168]

When you showed the arpeggio progressions and chords you can do from a cmajor and its modes my mind was opened a lot. It was just what I was looking for. A simple yet wildly effective way of expanding my musical vocabulary. Thank you so much Scott!

[@maxponsetis1948]

best teacher ever Mister Scott

[@scajesback]

Dig in in this lessons for a while, there's a lot of knowledge in a few minutes, practice for years, really fantastic information and a massive thumbs up from Mexico City

[@flash001USA]

I'm a seasoned rock / blues and country bass player and I'm strong enough to record with people on a professional level along with having the opportunity of working with signed bands and being signed on past projects myself. I never learned to read but I definitely understood how important it is even knowing just your basic scales. I've done pretty good through the years and have been fortunate enough to work with great players where I have picked up a lot of it by ear but I still consider myself a student who's learning and I continue pushing myself to try to be better even at my age. I wonder if you know just how much your videos help people like me to improve our chops? Almost forgot. Learning basic shapes was the ticket for me when I first started.

[@jairogarcia5777]

Wow man 5 years later and you're about to hit a million subs! Cheers!

[@frederickthorne2496]

I owe so much to Scott for these lessons. I can't imagine playing bass without his instruction.

[@i.duhourq2519]

This is a great teacher if you are having some class from a teacher parallely. I'm learning about the 7 modes of a scale, and knowing how they work make sense and find it much easier what Scott is teaching here. Brilliant class, but I recommend to first know a little about those modes to really get that juice out if this excercise

[@jwconstruction9065]

Humble and talented, gets the point across mater of fact,,,word, and hella funny

[@ewkinser]

This arpeggio exercise has helped me more than anything else I've worked on. Been using it for a few years now. My playing has improved so much I can't thank you enough.It's such a great finger pattern memorization study. I've tried many different exercises and books on learning but this one really sticks with me. Thanks!

[@tashamcmanus]

Thank you for reiterating what you went over in the lesson at the end. That was helpful because I watched it in a couple of different chunks.

[@MrGRUVES]

Here in 2020: I've been practicing this like crazy. Building speed, fret-board knowledge, and harmonic knowledge! Starting messing around with soloing on a simple chord progression. This specific exercise has really come in handy making me capable of simple soloing and being able to actually sound musical! This is an awesome lesson/exercise!

[@ronfrey6639]

Scott from this lesson I just came up with an ascending and descending arpeggiated take of these chords or a slight modification of some notes and it comes out sounding very classical and its quite astounding considering Im not a bass player but from this one lesson It just opened my head right up and seeing the chord shapes white gloves on dark fingerboard is helpful for me to see exactly what is then just burn it into memory.. Harmonizing the major scale and arpeggiating all the way up and down is what im doing I had to slow the speed down to see how your doing it all in one position MOST AWESOME LESSON Completely opens my head to thinking like a bassists vs a guitarist playing bass.. I also take what you just showed me back to guitar hope you dont mind me running with that.. Fantastic man !

[@jakeficken7430]

Scott I’ve spent a week on this lesson already. I keep taking it in bit by bit but this one was a gem.

[@RayJN309]

That is PLICK'EN AWESOME DUDE... I gave this to a bass student today and am plying it on standard six string electric and acoustic guitars myself..! so dynamically useful for learning or reinforcing music theory, training the ear and muscle memory! Thank You Sir & God bless, Ray

[@Toastrodamus]

My god, this is an incredible lesson. I can't wait to try this out. Your advice about getting your right hand patterns consistent is so good.

[@barneylongacre8123]

Scott, I've been down with shoulder surgery and get to start playing and practicing , now it's been 6 weeks. This is great ....YOU are great , thank you! See you in the SHED

[@knucklevision]

One helpful visualization tool is the piano keyboard, where the modes related to the C major scale means you play only the white keys. If you play a C major scale, you start at C and play all of the white keys- that sequence of intervals, separated by the black keys is: (C) D (E) F (G) A (B) and called the "Ionian mode". The 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 Cmajor/Cmajor7 chord tones are in brackets... If we stay in the key of C major/ (all white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of D, we will create a scale of (D) E (F) G (A) B (C) called "Dorian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are a D minor/Dmin7. ... If we stay in the key of C major/ (all white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of E, we will create a scale of (E) F (G) A (B) C (D) called "Phrygian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are an E minor/Emin7..... If we stay in the key of C major/(white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of F, we will create a scale of (F) G (A) B (C) D (E) called "Lydian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are an F major/Fmaj7. If we stay in the key of C major/(white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of G we will create a scale of (G) A (B) C (D) E (F) called "Mixolydian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are an Gmaj/G(dom)7. If we stay in the key of C major/(white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of A, we will create a scale of (A) B (C) D (E) F (G) called "Aeolian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are an A minor/Amin7 (*This scale/mode starting on the sixth note of a major scale is called the relative minor*) If we stay in the key of C major/(white keys), but we play a scale starting on the note of B, we will create a scale of (B) C (D) E (F) G (A) called "Locrian mode", and the 1-3-5 triad and 1-3-5-7 chord tones are a B(minor) diminished/Bmin7b5. This is one of the few parts of music theory I have studied and grasped, and it is a huge help when the light goes off. I hope this description might help? I will edit if anyone points out errors/corrections, thanks!

[@mathieuc6934]

Most of your videos are great Scott, but this one is just AMAZING! Fantastic exercise that will take weeks to master. Thank you.

[@BullyThaKidd]

everytime i feel like im making headway to being a great bassist... scott makes another video that makes me wanna quit lol

[@daveydoodle1916]

Allen Brown if you really want ta quit, watch this lol. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaiTe42mlq13sJY

[@LucaLindemann]

... I watched a couple of videos of Dey... I switched after 10 seconds... She's an alien, an incredibly talented girl, but, I would give my soul to the devil to put down a song like Come Together or a bass line like What Is Hip, Come On Come Over, Sunshine Of Your Love... She doesn't make me quit actually... :)

[@feel.s1304]

This is literally a video made to make you better, why would this make you want to quit.

[@altagracitamateo1303]

+Luca Dante “IlDuca” Lindemann you need to go to church (give your soul to the devil man you people

[@pedersolvang4794]

WORD! Made me not wanna quit, after considering it

[@juliangramajo7010]

Scott, every time i watch one of your videos i feel the visceral need of grabbing my bass. Thank you and greetings from Argentina!

[@unijabass]

Scott, you are life changer, thank you

[@arknark]

I love these intros; the laughing Scott shot is so endearing.

[@harsterl]

you answered questions i had no idea has direct answers to. THANK. YOU. beautiful person!

[@rearviewmirrordavelavin2101]

Scott, you're tips and drills are the best.....and actually useful! Thank you!

[@dennisswanberg1718]

Man what simple lesson that kills. You broke it down so precisely. Now I just have to the work ...love it , Technic and arpegios Thank you .. shout out from New Hampshire US

[@robashley7721]

Probably one of the best lessons of all time.... this explains a lot. Thanks Scott

[@rodolfoferreira]

Just got a acoustic bass for Christmas and joined the SBL, and this class here was a mind blow, that opened my vision for the major scale a lot!! Great!

[@carlgavet1564]

Thanks Scott. An awesome lesson worth the price of admission to your courses. I'm in.... Really appreciate the time and detail you went into explaining what you were doing. The linking of arpeggios was a revelation. Thanks again.

[@MrDSAPPY]

this is probably one of the most important exercises for any bass player ever! I'd suggest doing arpeggio's of all the chord inversions, 7th, half diminished, and fully diminished as well.

[@DrCorr]

Xtremly usefully exercises. Thanks a lot Mr. Tommus.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@steventhompson4539]

Another mind-blower, Scott, thanks! Killer exercise, man ...

[@caiocezarsilvapereira7239]

I'm Brazilian and my english is not perfect, but I learned a lot with you. I hope I learn more with you. Thanks, Scott! God bless youu

[@JamilAlexandre1]

this is an awesome excercise! I really appreciate what you do man. Seriously. I've already noticed a vast improvement in my technique from watching your videos.

[@kevinlynch2248]

Epic lesson Scott! I love it and thank you for all you do for us four stringers (and five....and six 😜)!

[@jmattbassplaya90]

Scott - Excellent lesson as always. The part that peaked my interest the most was when you began to implement chromatic notes into your playing. I would love to see a lesson that dives deeper into that with regard to constructing bass lines over traditional jazz progressions.

[@Jonoroxat]

I love your lessons Scott they've been such a great help to get me started on the bass! keep it up man!

[@adriandean6256]

Thanks for this freebie, Scott. What to actually practice is really helpful

[@andyquiton4384]

You are such a wonderful player, love learning from you and listening to you, cheers.

[@pedromattos-bass]

Wonderful exercise, Scott! Very useful!!! I'm practicing it. Thanks for your online Lessons!

[@catsanstail]

I appreciate being able to conceptualize the lesson before trying to memorize the arpeggios 4:25

[@fivos1993]

Your videos always give me direction. Thank you

[@bayareablues2255]

Fantastic lesson, Scott. A great way to focus on learning the notes for the chords in a scale. This will help me tremendously with my guitar work as well. Thanks!!

[@samuelward1148]

This one REALLY helped Scott!!! Thank you so sooooo much Broheim!!! =)

[@victorhp1537]

Great lesson, both theory and technique at the same time. Thanks a lot!

[@alfonshomac]

this is also a very nice way to get a feel for the modes. Choose a scale, go through the arpeggios.

[@whatsmyname2070]

Ooooooooooooh that one is good!

[@mickozzytyler]

whatsmyname2070 b

[@daitos1955]

Real KILLER exercise Scott you've improved my bass life Thanks muchly.

[@scrubbingmonkeys2488]

I have been playing bass 30 yrs. I wish I could click like twice.....great lesson!!!!

[@JohnDoe-kf9wq]

It s super clear. Thank a lot, really. You are the best Scott!!!

[@fredericlinden]

Strumming all the strings in such an offhanded way at the end of the instrumental introduction revealed a carelessness a musician should not allow himself to show... This said, as always, the lesson was fantastic.

[@Benom8]

Looks like a great exercise! It'll be a good way to practice the modes I've learned.

[@cameronstull9465]

man, how do you come up with these lessons? i mean, i know you must have had great teachers, but you are really breaking down music theory on bass here. for free. i also know you have more in depth lessons on your website and in your academy. i guess im not asking a question. i just wanted to say ive been watching your videos on youtube for a while and still ive learned so much from so little. you really know how to jam pack knowledge brother. your such a great teacher. oh i do have a question! when in your career and why did you decide to take teaching so seriously? maybe you were showing a band mate something and just blew his mind all casually and realized you had a knack for it? sincerely thanks. :)

[@virgiljones4808]

Dont forget he is also educating us on the history of the bass guitar and lots of other things that have impacted the bass. He is a born educator!

[@michaelmendelson5120]

Ditto!

[@daitos1955]

@@virgiljones4808 ...and the kind of dude you feel like having a beer with.

[@choochoo5268]

@@virgiljones4808 I really like his lessons. He's cool

[@jwconstruction9065]

He's always giving respect to the ones before him, so humble and talented, the best teacher s always are!!!

[@felipedromundo8861]

Best lesson I've seen in a long time!

[@zizzupolcu]

simple and really clear in the explications :) love your lessons!

[@MichaelRinus]

I'll remember this to do Regularly... Regarding consistency of the plickin hand you nailed it - when I was in the studio recording with my former band on guitar, I got a very helpful hint of out all-in-one studio-man that my playing changed every time I play. Didn't get it back then. Nowadays I understand I did always change my pick-hand-work which changed my timing each time. Consistency, consistency, consistency ;) Helps a lot!

[@buttersstotch8175]

HA NO WAY! after watching your videos I started practicing that for myself last night !!! Thanks for the vids they are great.

[@ronniecraft3895]

Scott this is good,and makes since. thanks this helps so much!

[@joescarpadventures]

Great exercise on many levels; looking forward to trying it out!

[@rogerdelivers]

I'm just doing and loving the Fretboard Accelerator course. This added to it, is radically improving my knowledge of the neck 😊

[@brennanayers279]

Scott great lessons here! Thank you for all free content. I like many other viewers have a slightly hard time seeing what you are actually playing. I in all honesty think the glove has a lot to do with it. I watch other lessons and dont have the same problem. If that's the purpose of the glove, to rely on hearing rather then sight, its brilliant. Again, thanks for the videos!

[@bwj8]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYC5eKV9d8qkn6s

[@The1985JAM]

Such a great video! Very helpful! But mostly very inspiring, truly. I’m actually looking at picking up the Nate Mendel P Bass after Christmas. Thanks Scott!

[@the-selfish-meme7585]

It's all the white notes... lolz... but really love the stuff about joining it all up with chromatic passing notes... this is a great way to get the important info into a young jazzer's head... Great stuff - Thankyou, sir!

[@theflyingdutchman787]

Brilliant lesson again! Thanks, Scott!

[@nicksounds]

Scott you best!!! thank you for another great lesson.

[@rawstarmusic]

Very good Scott. This is learning. It's a lot in there and it sounds good too. I've got to try this to see if I can sort it out.

[@jakobwillkomm3022]

game changer, very challenging. thank you!

[@SteveWeltman]

Hey Scott, TY for posting this one. I had an a-ha moment with this video!

[@GoldenBoyDims]

scott you are so good i always love your intro bass playing

[@chrishiggins1828]

Love Scott's teachings. 👍 🇬🇧

[@stephenshoihet2590]

This is great! Ive been working lately on playing arpeggios starting on all the different C's and going up the neck but I haven't tried playing them across the neck in the same position.

[@daniellaflamme8484]

Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge

[@Phyoomz]

This was just lovely. Thank you, sir.

[@Kahawai68]

Best lesson ever.

[@BWSTT]

love it, I'll be adding this to my exercises

[@gabrielefailla8210]

Another nice one, Scott. As usual. Thanks

[@TheGuitarrmann]

This is above my pay-grade but I can't wait until I'm dealing with this issue! It's a keeper! Thanks.

[@mattt180]

Excellent lesson, thank you!

[@HTA3]

Legend. Cheers for the lesson mate!

[@m.k.spaulding5117]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@enlighteninghumor6526]

Really slick editing trick with the color change. Well done!

[@WalterPonsano]

Magic lesson 👏

[@joelgiroux3610]

Am studying, practising and playing along with this one daily -- amazing lessons, Scott -- Thank you!!!

[@daviddansereau1793]

Really liked this one!

[@lucasguida43]

Uou, amazing, really! Congratulations!

[@seancushnie974]

9:30 mark, about doing exactly the same with the fingering, i realised that's what i'm doing wrong. I always trip up doing really fast technical stuff, sometimes nail it, sometimes i don't. I think this will help out a lot. Great stuff

[@waveparticle]

This exercise has helped me a lot

[@christian53050]

Great lessons. It would be very helpful for newbies if you had small chord charts on screen as you are doing chord sequences, since the exact fingering is often hard to see. It would of course require more work at your end.

[@gregplaysguitar689]

Good call Christian, I made one today for anyone needing this: i.imgur.com/RpBhgUJ.png Fantastic lesson!

[@OliseForel]

@@gregplaysguitar689 Thank you that is great!

[@alfredsmith6381]

He blows through these and talks over what he's playing which makes it worse.

[@DR-nh6oo]

Alfred Smith Definitely too fast for me but he definitely pointed me in a direction I need to go, just going to take me a little more time…a few more pauses and repeats….. ….20 minutes on after listening at half speed this lesson has taken me on a huge leap.