How To REALLY Learn Your Scales - Spelling Drills

This week we're looking at how to learn your scales more thoroughly by note using Spelling Drills!
Lesson material available here: www.talkingbass.net/how-to-rea...
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[@HauntingTheChapel89]

My favorite bass teacher on KZbin. No frilly bullshit, just straightforward HELPFUL lessons that are very explanatory and articulate without being repetitive. Also, Mark just seems like a solid dude. Keep up the great work!

[@battlecreekknives5853]

Agreed

[@tamtenmateusz9475]

The only bad thing is the eyesoaring background.

[@rodrigofeliu6159]

I have to say that I really love the way in all your videos (mostly) you always gently or, sometimes pretty forcefully -in a good way- drill the very important notion of learning the notes. Most content creators focus on the easy patterns to get you sounding moderately decent and slapping. Of course when you start is really fun to start slapping away and playing by patterns. I know, I've been there for years. I have a good notion of basic harmony and theory but I never got to learning the notes on the fretboard untill now. I knew I was wrong, I just didn't realize how wrong. To be able to mentally see each note on the neck h!s changed my understanding of EVERYTHING so much it's insane. I almost feel like it should be forbidden to start playing bass without knowing this by heart. I've listen to you hammering this simple concept for years. It took some time but I finally got it. Thanks so much for not giving up on the teaching hard way. I just love you for it ❤

[@lukehaddix4710]

This has vastly improved my knowledge of the major scale. Thank you.

[@CYBERJASE]

Well done my friend! There are literally hundreds of videos from different bassists, but you are among the best, at least in my opinion. For a teacher to be good, knowing the topic is NOT as important as being able to pass it on to others. Unfortunately, not many teachers have/cultivate this fundamental trait. Keep on the great work, congratulations!!!

[@davedwave7]

Nicely put.

[@CharlieRobe]

Thank you!!! I’ve found my Bass teacher. Been through numerous videos on how to learn the neck and scales. His style of teaching on line is really simple,..even this old dude can learn it. I’m signing up.

[@eilon405]

much easier than memorising the circle of fifth. thanks for your video.

[@AC-me5yp]

This is the perfect explanation to my question that iv had for years!!!!! Iv asked so many prof. musicians and teachers, but this just clarifies everything!! Thank you for the amazing lesson!

[@robertmalech820]

This is a fantastic lesson! I play piano and guitar in addition to bass guitar and this is an easy and insightful way to memorize scales that I had not come across before ( but really wish I had!). Thanks for this Mark!

[@londontokyo8307]

That was a fantastic lesson, I've learned loads from this. Thanks very much!

[@joshuas193]

As for how many sharps are in each scale I noticed a pattern that helps. Starting at C Major the number of sharps in each scale is pretty easy. It goes 0, 2, 4, flat, 1, 3, 5. All are divided into groups 3 and 4 notes except for F which has the flat is divided 4 and 3. Thanks so much Mark, this made it so easy.

[@jamesmathew6236]

This is a very informative Lesson!! Thank you very much Mark!!

[@phutureproof]

I play guitar, this is valuable info regardless of instrument, thank you pal, have a well deserved sub!

[@alansmith3843]

Very explicit and comprehensive! Thank you!

[@jcannat7964]

Mark you are a godsend. Thank you so much. You are an extraordinary teacher

[@fireflee111]

Thank you so much. This breakdown really made it easy to absorb.

[@jasontwright9011]

Amazing lesson. Thank you!

[@padrelaw]

what an excellent helpful way of learning to use the entire fretboard! Thanks so much!

[@maxxdormedia3392]

Thanks, sir.. I really don't like long lessons but I'm now a total fan of you ...your lessons aren't a waste of time. Thanks a lot.

[@jankazdevs]

Ty very much.. This lesson is very useful..

[@jagaray]

This is a great lesson. Thank you!!

[@marloz8599]

Great way to learn the fretboard. And it is actually fun to learn it this way.

[@rayrhodes2042]

fantastic lesson Mark This is going to make a huge difference for me ! Thank you

[@jimford1256]

Wow, this lesson has opened my understanding so much. Thank you Mark your the best.

[@KerryonBass]

Best lesson on this topic I've ever come across. THANK YOU!

[@MrHoola]

seriously. This is well structured . A diamond in the rough!

[@vwasic]

7:02 There is also a so instant simple way to memorize. If we know we using notes: A B C D E F G Every time when you start scale from some note just spell the following letters from the alphabet until you come to G and then start from A again. Example: ABCDEFG BCDEFG A CDEFG AB DEFG ABC EFG ABCD FG ABCDE G ABCDEF

[@sigiriabeysekara8723]

Wow vladimir..... thanks...... This comment should get more likes btw......

[@vwasic]

@@sigiriabeysekara8723 Thanks man!

[@methodLDZ]

Thank you, Sir!

[@ixa-3140]

My thing is remembering this after learning it being a bass player is a lifestyle your always constantly reminding what you've learned to stay sharp. I'm often astonished at how dedicated I am but wow memory is so crucial as a musician.

[@bustabass9025]

I hear you man. As bass players, we're often focused on the outline more than chords or the theory. You need that focus for sure. Otherwise, it's a constant relearning process.

[@alessandromondelli5793]

Fantastic lesson as always thanks

[@firewirevid]

Great instruction. Thanks.

[@gregurbanek186]

From a layman bassist , you have brought the joy of making music back to life . Thank you Mark .

[@travisguide4516]

I enjoy his positive attitude and tenacity as well

[@aaronwolfe9640]

thank you for the video. Its really helpful

[@KeithAlumbaugh]

I got a bass last week and have never played or studied music. But I know my alphabet. I think I learned something.

[@SeanPaulHernandez]

Timeless tutorial thank you so much

[@mariusfourie4642]

Thank you for another very helpful tutorial....

[@wtfusheeple5383]

hey mark great lesson,did you do part 2 to this,the flats

[@Mark2Roll]

Great video mark...as always..thank.s mate

[@jiminnorthdallas1227]

Yes! Help me to understand from a different perspective.

[@Francisco50771]

Awesome class. God bless you 😀

[@marceldewit8159]

Awesome! Thanks, this will help me.

[@user-nj4hj5df5b]

awesome! thank you, sir!

[@leocomerford]

What seemed to work for me was memorising the two whole-tone runs (the even semtones, ... C D E F# G# A# ... and the odds, ... C# D# F G A B ...) literally forwards and backwards starting from any note. With that memorised it's relatively easy to stitch together whole-tone runs with semitone jumps as necessary to make major scales, for example F# descending is down a semi for a run of four-F D# C# B-then down another semi to A# G# F#. (I just picked this up from some KZbinr, and I'm sure it's a very common approach anyway.)

[@Backtobassics500]

I've checked out some other videos on your KZbin channel. There's a lot of good material and I wanted to get back to the basics (excuse the pun). I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel and you've gained a subscriber.

[@BernieGBassHead]

This is fantastic content - hats off to you sir 💯🤟🤟

[@marshwetland3808]

I'm so glad I learned all the key signatures when I learned piano. Well, not all, but C#major has 7 sharps, I see, including E# and B# - lol.

[@tordurhansen333]

Hello people, and Mark! I have a trick for you all. You'll need the Circle of Fifths, so get that on your screen. You'll see how C is at the top? Yeah, that's the major key with no sharps and no flats. Here's the trick: For each counterclockwise step from C, there's one more flat. For each step clockwise from C, there's one more sharp. This works until the bottom (Gb/F#) You can also see what these flats and sharps are: For sharps, start at F and count your sharps clockwise through the circle. Those, including F#, are your sharps. For flats, start at Bb and count counter clockwise through the circle in the same manner. Also work until you hit the bottom. I'll explain the minor keys and the 6th sharp/flat if requested enough :)

[@vishnuram1372]

DO IT EXPLAIN IT PLEASE!!!

[@vishnuram1372]

Not shouting im just begging you

[@kylelittle3314]

lol are you implying that Mark is unaware of the Circle of Fifths?

[@kylelittle3314]

@@vishnuram1372 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGOWZXWjlJitj8U

[@bunguswhalock]

Hi, which video is the next in the series? You mentioned a follow on lesson at the end. Thanks!

[@dbboi33]

You are my "Bass Sensei"

[@Jayswindows1264]

Best teacher

[@elliusagi]

This will be my morning routine video! Sitting on my sofa eyes half open, slurping some black coffee, munching rye bread and an orange, listening Mark's bass theories.. ✨

[@derrickflores719]

Doing the same but in the evening, coffee and eyes half opened! 😆👍

[@nsambamartin6503]

Thank for that lesson, am a beginner i know that i will learn

[@renemama4369]

excellent!!!!

[@scottsavoy1615]

for the F major scale I just think of F is for flat and that makes me remember that this is the one with the b flat in there

[@snorlax212]

thank you

[@erinlouisewells6962]

A small nitpick, the sharps and flats you removed for clarity aren't "accidentals" because they belong to their respective keys.

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Erin Louise Wells Yup. That's correct. I get so used to using the word accidental when in a key that I slipped up. The sharps aren't accidentals per se. They're diatonic notes. Well spotted.

[@sabestiaobarreto6124]

Erin Lo

[@MrEye4get]

Bing! This isn't about patterns! The light just popped on! Great lesson!

[@markanthony5897]

I love these hacks. Victor Wooten has one for sharps and flats also but his accounts for how many sharps and how many flats. NOT what note is sharp/flat. This one in it's performance has the amount. And the note itself. This excercise (not hack) is better, in my humble opinion. I don't know if Victor covers major and minor? But here we cover the major scales any which way. Music can be a life's long journey. Every comprehensive lesson/exercise you come across you should take time to digest and learn through and through until you own it and keep it in your studies and consider practicing maintenance of your excercises and also dedicate time to discover new exercises and lessons and songs etc. Have fun. A teacher told me not to practice if it feels like a chore and you will always enjoy it. If you never practice because it always seems like a chore, guess what!?! You may want to consider a different discipline. I hate saying that. Have fun, that's all. Stay ahead, don't fall behind, that's one way to keep enjoying it. I'm done here, pardon my intrusion.

[@stevesynan3910]

Hey Mark, great lesson as always. I bought your Study Book of Scales eBook and it is by far the most complete book of scales centered around the bass guitar I have seen yet, so thanks for that! I have a quick question. Lately I've been practicing 2-4 hours a day and after a few days my fingers will become sore and sluggish. No bad pain, just general soreness from playing more than I'm used to. Should I be taking days off when my fingers feel like this so they can recoup? I find it hard to take days off when I'm so motivated to keep practicing, but I also don't want to hinder my progress. Thanks for providing so much awesome content for free!

[@memejunkie1308]

Steve Synan your fingers would eventually get used to it

[@sigiriabeysekara8723]

yeah don't stop practicing..... A reply after 5 years...lol

[@purplechili2512]

Can we do the same for minor scales too?

[@allengoffy7021]

you've probably been asked this, but if i purchase lesson after a week or two into it, can I go back to beginning to go over what I first learned?

[@wtfusheeple5383]

hey,is the book you mentioned by dan haerle

[@metalzizar]

Guess I got some spelling to do, just like in kindergarden. Thank you!

[@paulmcilwraith3490]

Mark. I’m hoping you can help. I’m trying to learn bass and was hoping you could signpost me to the best way of going through your lessons please. Thanks Paul

[@Prince.Hamlet]

“ I’ll have your nailing them really, really soon” - also Marks advice from his dating course

[@ErnieLeblanc]

Yee'up!

[@gabo4850]

think of the naturals as low notes and the sharp notes as higher notes and turn them into a djent riff

[@ctatrains]

Would trying to learn from your videos on a 5 string bass only confuse me? I'm having a hell of a time finding good videos on 5 string bass. Also, that is a nice bass. What kind is that?

[@sigiriabeysekara8723]

10:57

[@derrickflores719]

I like this pattern .. 1st group goes up to G 2nd group starts from A C Maj - CDEFG AB D Maj - DEFG ABC E Maj - EFG ABCD F Maj - FG ABCDE G Maj - G ABCDEF AM - ABCDEFG BM - BCDEFG A

[@tnlmosh]

2:00 to 2:30 it's ME!!

[@travisguide4516]

I can attest to the wide range of problems from learning scales only by shapes

[@eightfifty2309]

Cant help but wonder what bass is that? The led lights on the pickups look insane!

[@sigiriabeysekara8723]

Enfield......or something i guess.......oh wait......

[@micheldindaine8403]

HI Mark !! why don't you use numbers instead of notes names ?. In my opinion, as you know it, this would present the advantage of eliminating note names memorisation, learn the sound and fonction of each of the intervals and it also help transposing by ear. please tell me what you think. Cheers from Paris.

[@talkingbasslessons]

The whole point of this lesson is learning by note. If you’ve seen all of my 450+ lessons you’ll know I cover all the other areas of ear training etc. This is not that.

[@micheldindaine8403]

@@talkingbasslessons thanks for your reply, it is also true that I have not seen all of your 450 + lessons yet.

[@kidpoker9408]

Guys don't forget your interval spelling for c to g is a p5 or g to c is a p4 etc also your pent spellings are umportant

[@nathanvienneau9422]

i love you

[@larryboecker3459]

I thought an accidental was a flat or sharp that is not in the particular scale

[@PM-fs2eg]

Total newbie here...How do I know where an A is, a B etc?

[@elguitarristaandres3965]

U have to learn the fret board on ur bass 🙂🙃

[@ianm5769]

My brain hurts after watching one of Mark’s videos.

[@arneberg9072]

Yea, I know exactly- it's heavy when you get/understand the lessons )):

[@ralfspitaler8921]

😎👌🏻

[@NameLess-ks4fi]

Your bass looks like a space age Wal bass.

[@ujjwaltyagi3030]

what about minor scales?

[@talkingbasslessons]

As I point out in the lesson, the same principle applies to all scales, all arpeggios, all bass lines. Everything. You are simply learning by note name.

[@ujjwaltyagi3030]

@@talkingbasslessons Wow i never thought you would actually reply. I wish to buy your course as soon as i get any money. You always provide actual information with no jargon. The last thing i learned from your videos was the marcus miller run for cover riff.You're really good at teaching.

[@ferasboulala6220]

I have a question. I was wondering if what you showcase in this video really is effective. What I get from your video is that in order to master your instrument, you have to learn all the scales by heart by spelling them. I can see how this can be useful. You will know every note on the fretboard instead of knowing them as X fret and you will be able to freely roam with your fingers without hesitation. Here's the thing though: there are a lot of scales. If you pick a standard major scale, you have 7 scales to learn. If you pick a standard minor scale, it is essentially the same as the major scale, just a different mode. It still adds a layer of difficulty because you will have to start the scale at the right spot and spell it correctly. And that applies to all the 7 modes of a major scale for all the 7 major scales (49 so far). Now, add all the other existing scales (blues, jazz-ish, harmonic, etc.) and it becomes impossible to keep track of anything. What I don't understand is why wouldn't we, as bass players, take advantage of our instrument. I wouldn't call that laziness. What I wonder is if it would be more effective to learn all scale paterns (major and the modes aswell as some frequently used ones like blues, etc.) on four different boxes (the main ones). That way, you can play any scale, anywhere on the fretboard because as long as you know the four essential boxes, you can switch between them very quickly, play with octaves very comfortably. I believe that learning all the notes of each scale is too much work. Through my personal experience, I noticed that learning all the four boxes of each scale yields a lot more results in the short term and in the long term, you will eventually start to learn a few notes here and there on the neck for more "special" scales that have very odd turns.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Old comment but I thought I'd expand a little. There's nothing wrong with learning fretboard patterns. That's a quick way of doing it and seeing the geometry of the fingerboard is really important. However, as I point out in the video, there are limitations to this. If you're only playing within box patterns on the neck, everything works out fine, but the minute you want to start moving up and down the neck it all becomes much more complicated. You mentioned learning many different scales. Well, you don't have to learn them all as individual scales. Remember scales are simply strings of intervals. Once you have the major scales memorised, other scales are simply variations. For instance, D major is D E F# G A B C#. D mixolydian is just a major scale with a flattened 7th. So we have D E F# G A B C. The most important thing is to learn your intervals. IF you know your intervals by letter, everything becomes A LOT easier. You mentioned that it would be impossible to keep track of all these scales. Well, that's exactly what every other instrumentalist does. There's no choice. You can't play a G major scale on a trumpet without knowing the order of the notes. Just as a side note, it's worth mentioning that this isn't actually classed as anything difficult in the big scheme of things. It's just basic scales and intervals. Try not to see it as hard work or even a long term goal. I would expect most of my students to be able to recite that whole set of natural major scales in one week or at two at the most.

[@joeayad2577]

Bosh luf

[@briancherry8088]

I find that when I think of scales on one string, I automatically revert to WWHWWWH. Back to patterns :(

[@leocomerford]

+Brian Cherry Maybe try clapping your hands or touching your nose with your left hand between each note? It may sound a bit silly but it might be enough to break the pattern of hand movement.

[@briancherry8088]

+Leo Comerford - So, force my attention away from the fretboard in between notes so I have to find the next note, as opposed to a spacing. That's an interesting idea I might have to try. Thanks for the suggestion

[@Kerphelio01]

+Brian Cherry I'm in the same boat, and there are several ways to get around the problem to make this exercise work. a) Instead of doing it on one string, do it in one position, ideally one that is a little murky to you. b) Do it in one position, but force yourself to change the octave up or down for every note, not just the next note c) Instead of playing just the next note, play all instances of the next note across the fretboard - so don't just play a C, play all the Cs there are from low to high or vice versa d) do the scales backwards

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Kerphelio01 Yes that will all work and be good for breaking the cycle. But, remember that the main key to all of this is doing the exercises away from the bass. Don't think of this lesson as a 'bass' lesson. It's more of a music lesson. If you can conquer the spelling drills away from the instrument, you'll find the application to the neck a bit more obvious. The reason you are falling into the fretboard pattern of the scale is because you don't know the spelling well enough and don't know the notes on the neck well enough. This lesson solves the first problem. The notes on the neck takes a little more time and attention but that can be sorted by trying the cycle of fourths exercise I released and learning to read. Learning to read music completely changes EVERYTHING.

[@sigiriabeysekara8723]

@@talkingbasslessons thanks guys ...... helpful stuff.....

[@jj-eg5up]

DEF GABC!

[@Atwar74]

Jackhammer sound

[@cjtuba1]

I don't know why you don't finish with the tonic as it finishes the scale as you started and reinforces the scale name itself?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Because we're looking at the individual notes of the scale which split well into 3 and 4 note groupings. Also, we don't need to say the tonic twice when repeating the drill.

[@mikebrown7269]

tried ta sign up three %$#$%$# times, tells me my e mails not valid. Been using it for a year...................................................................I live in New Zealand..

[@hifinphoto]

WHY not just say that after every "G" - you Always start your ABCs again ??....

[@kidpoker9408]

Not sure why your teaching the scales via whole tones instead of the circle

[@talkingbasslessons]

I'm not.

[@markmarantal2991]

...looks like it's time to sell my bass.

[@Jason-nw7wn]

Dude, seriously. And to think this is only the major scale from only the natural notes. So that's only 7 out of 12 notes and ONLY ONE SCALE!! I don't see how people can memorize every note from every scale and all the corresponding chords and modes (whatever those are) etc etc. Guess you have to dedicate your life to it. Gives me a much bigger appreciation for musicians in general.

[@thescottishartisan5870]

Whats with the hyper feminization stuff?? Plucked eye brows and make up?? Do you also have a mangina???