THE Must Know Scale For Every Rock/Funk Bass Player

In this lesson we're going to look at the most common scale in all of rock, pop and funk bass - The E Minor Pentatonic Scale!
We'll work through some example riffs, fills and a funky slap line to finish.
Lesson Material available here www.talkingbass.net/the-must-k...
Enjoy!
Visit www.talkingbass.net for more free online bass lessons, articles and downloads from Mark Smith and subscribe to receive the free Scale Reference Manual.
These Free Online Bass Lessons from Mark J Smith are released weekly so subscribe for updates and visit www.talkingbass.net for a complete lesson map and all the downloadable lesson material.

[@woofystevenson2943]

the phrase murderous rage was said WAY too cheerfully i think im gonna like this lesson

[@PushSueAside]

....ahhhhh “murderous rage and the minor scale”...sounds like a great band name.

[@GrupettoGaz2905]

What a great lesson! There are plenty of lessons that show you how to play scales, but leave you confused about what to do with them. And there are also plenty of lessons that show you cool riffs and licks, but leave you confused about where all the notes came from. This lesson addresses these typical problems perfectly. Great stuff Mark, - thank you.

[@having765]

So many music tutorials on youtube beat around the bush or arnt good at introducing the subject. But youre straight to the point and make sure to explain everything you're showing and not leaving us to guess or imply. Most of what I'm learning about music only makes sense because of you.

[@martinosicka7051]

Mark is A really good teacher. I am a beginner and appreciate how much he puts into each video. I thank you 😊

[@maxmorrison9428]

way more straight forward then scots bass lessons

[@gristams3439]

scott does too much fancy crap his own stuff isnt even groovey. right when you think hes about to get funky he does all this weird fancy stuff. this dude is the best it feels like i won the lotto getting all this free info w/no ads and opinions

[@pabloessgalhardo5317]

no comparison, Scott is just selling his online courses

[@degosiejani2774]

Scott talks too much, as if he enjoys the sound of his voice over the sound of the bass.

[@ismaelruiz2412]

28 min course vs 3min course. mark belongs to an age when youtube wastnt about making money.

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

Scott is a pesky poser who has no clue what he is talking about.

[@nic.in.the.pacific5113]

thanks Mark. I hear a lot about developing vocabulary, your videos help me do just that and I appreciate it very much.

[@aarondavis4341]

THANK YOU! i try to pick out the scales while im listeming to music,you pointing out Paranoid,and whole lotta love,just improved my understanding of scale so much,i cant thank you enough Mark Also you people watching this video havent signed up for Talking Bass yet,your missing out on a plethora of bass knowledge 🤘

[@dannygraham1453]

Thank you for your vidéos ! I always learn usefull things ! Keep going !

[@freddy2bfree]

Truly amazing to have a wonderful Instructor..

[@Yem1010]

Thanks for another cool lesson Mark !

[@Toddlemosh]

Thanks for the amazing tutorials!!!!

[@rajeshhkkapoor8549]

excellent run through....this is actually the best walk through ever..thank uMark..

[@RaySareth]

truly thanks for this lesson!!

[@Toddlemosh]

You're my teacher. Thanks for so much help!!!!

[@rolandgharfine534]

What a fantastic lesson once again, your lessons always seem to have much much more than the title implies, which is always a nice surprise. However you might get more views if your titles really show how wide the lesson material is. Great work, I'm benefiting a lot from your lessons I even made a playlist of them.

[@bassdrumguitarstrum5663]

great channel! so cool lessons, thanks!

[@erinwilson8478]

I love your lesson and LOVE Love Games' baseline. Thank you for your lesson ❤

[@jamesulysse974]

great lesson and clear. Thanks

[@bubblehues1391]

I know I'm a few years too late to comment, but I'm gonna say it anyway! Your lessons really helped me and I just started practicing yesterday and let me tell you, I learned fast So yeah thanks for this awesome lesson 😁😊

[@MaxRadin]

great lesson, thanks!

[@Bounster1986]

Wonderful lesson! Ty ! 😍 👍

[@marcelocoip7275]

Very very very usefull lesson! Thanks :)

[@davidperry1285]

Love this guy!

[@ianfreud]

Laughing too hard at "murderous rage"

[@DonaldBrown255]

Thanks Mark!

[@tsteury]

've been following Mark for awhile, but I'm finally decided to get serious about jazz/blues bass.

[@xingyibeast]

Really enjoyed this one, ... makes me want to go out and buy a musical instrument. Probably an electric bass guitar!

[@vwar7391]

Mike Strong some advice if you start bass, get with some friends and start a band, or play with them, there arnt alot of bass players in the world.

[@boatsandbitsandbobs]

I just did lol. Inspiring

[@BassPartho]

SO much helpful ..thanks :) From Bangladesh :)

[@nastyfinn1098]

you're awesome brother

[@briancarey5265]

Picked up a bass and amp 3 days ago after not touching one for over 40 years, since high school. This lesson will really help me a lot, thanks for this!

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Hey there, just writing to say, "Rock on, brother!" I'm 60 and haven't stopped playing for more than a few years here and there. Rock (and Funk!) are always - and will always BE - there, waiting patiently for your return. Hope you're still playing and, if not, what are you waiting for, the Second Coming? Jesus, I am sure, will have a bass strapped 'round His neck, and His almighty amp turned to eleven. 😆 But seriously, get back to "work". Later, mon. JD, Canada

[@Chad_Sandridge75]

Great tone today!

[@1michael1963]

great lesson.

[@deankeller8455]

Love this! Better info!!

[@ForeverAlone79]

"depression, angst, and murderous rage" Oh my god I'm dying laughing at the face you make at this part of the video, Mark. Excellent video. You have single handedly helped me "solve" modes. Big fan. Thanks for all of this amazing free content you put out there for people like me.

[@PhatBazz4]

Questions regarding dealing with clicking sound and buzzing on notes above the 12th fret on many basses. Most luthiers suggest raising your action to resolve which affects the slap sound and some say the frets are uneven needing to be leveled $$. I have several basses and having this issue on most of the them. Would love your opinion Mark. Appreciate you sharing this wonderful knowledge with us. Blessings 😊 🎶 🎸 👍

[@davidjoyner3982]

Great Teacher

[@gingerjam2192]

Classical double bass lessons years ago : always shift as soon as possible, so with the index when ascending and with the pinky when descending.

[@dornelli1]

awesome, sir!!!!!

[@edwinengelbrecht3377]

Hi Mark. Thanks for these informative lessons. I've been playing bass for many years and my major problem is that i have very small hands so i really battle to stretch say from G(e string) to Bb fret, with the result I move my hands up and down to where I must be, and have adjusted my playing this way. Your one finger per fret makes sense , but some of them I just cannot do. Thanks again , great lessons and tips. Edwin

[@oumaronald2920]

Mark your the best

[@markrodgers2976]

Yep, like everyone else, I busted out laughing at, "....helps convey the most popular emotions in modern life...depression, angst, and murderous rage"!!!! I will be quoting that in the near future (with full credit given, naturally). Anyway, keep up the great work, I've saved and repeatedly poured over several of your most excellent videos, you and Luke are my favorite bass tutorializers here. I may figure this damn thing out yet !!!

[@craggerrs]

Sir, thank you

[@cathtabletthomas3502]

Mark the GOAT

[@biblebeliever4217]

hay talking you are the top of bass learning ,you are the only one that i know of, that will say the number on the frerets very valueuable. your the best thank you.

[@talkingbasslessons]

Thanks very much! However my name’s actually Mark. Not Talking. Cheers.

[@biblebeliever4217]

​your the best mark ,again thanks for what you do %@@talkingbasslessons

[@dragonbalance7700]

"Depression, angst and murderous rage." XD

[@stavrospsarras336]

GOOD JOB,,,,,,,,,

[@gvngrave6698]

thank's from Russia, your video's really help me to build my technique)

[@phigmaui]

I liked this solely for the "depression, angst, and murderous rage." ;) Keep up the great work! Really helpful!

[@carlboiter6901]

thanks

[@mikebehrend3152]

Yeah the fill around the 11 minute mark does sound a lot like A Geddy Lee riff, it’s called What Your Doing and it’s on the first album. Very similar to Nazerths Hair of the dog as well. Like your version though cool riff to make a song out of.

[@user-qu7fi7hs3j]

Спасибо!!!Ты человек МИРА!!!

[@CarlosRamos-um4bv]

i loved the video. i cant stop making solos with that scale haha. is there anyway you could go higher with that scale? also, how can you play that same scale with other note, lets say Bm and have the same result if theres not an open B unless you have a 5 string bass.

[@rhysbray4411]

Cool !!!!

[@kevinjones3498]

Mark !😎

[@oumaronald2920]

Nice

[@captsteck]

I really enjoy your presentations. What brand of bass are you playing in this video and did you modify it?

[@Kianquenseda]

I know it is an Ibanez but it looks like he changed to Enfield pickups IDK

[@janbebe3444]

Can you only use this on a Em chord, and G7, I think? I like the way you teach.

[@dincerdut5566]

SUPER

[@markbass354]

COOL

[@mikel8367]

What kind of SG bass is that? I have never seen one like that. Great lesson also.

[@demonartkh3668]

The most popular emotions in modern life...Hahaha! Great lesson as usual! thnx

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Depression, angst and MURDEROUS RAGE! Ha ha ha ha ha! I-I-I-I...*LUV*ed it! Ha ha ha ha ha! Rock on, brother. From Canada - JD

[@kevinmurithi5466]

5:40

[@derekavery9986]

does it sound good for funk music if you use this scale in non slap just normal finger pluck style

[@stevenadcock7676]

Fab lesson 'As usual'! I was just to comment as well . . . looks like you had your Ibanez modified and added new pickups and switches - are they 'Enfield's? Sounds really good!

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Steven Adcock Yes, they are Super Quads like on the Enfield.

[@markbass354]

for real ,,, geez .

[@isaacdelvalle2027]

10:19

[@pitchblackink.]

When you played that level 42 line i almost spat out my milk 😂

[@Likeaforest]

עכשיו מארק ברצינות ... הסרט הזה לפני 6 שנים ... תגלה לנו מהו סוד הנעורים שלך , כי אתה נראה היום אותו הדבר :) 😀 😃.... כל שיעור שלך חשוב.

[@FePoeta]

Min 23

[@abijahknight4426]

your intro slap riff is just a decending e flat scale

[@mikee5909]

kinda the point of the whole video

[@Kianquenseda]

Are those Enfield pick ups ? and what is a peddle ?

[@dry509]

What us the model of your bass?

[@Kret4en]

Mark, Am I wrong or you have changed the pickups on your good old Ibanez? PS Phrase about Murderous Rage was way too cheerful

[@adamliddle2060]

+Иван Локтаев yeah he must have because i have the same guitar in iron pewter black with 2 humbuckers

[@Mezurashii5]

+Иван Локтаев He did and it looks badass.

[@markbass354]

All of the above , humbucker , single coil , both at once and more , etc. etc.

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Mark S Beretta Yup. I was getting a little bored of the EMG's and love the Super Quads so Martin fitted some. It's also a new Glockenklang preamp.

[@Kret4en]

+TalkingBass - Online Bass Lessons Nice, How much have you paid for such a big improvement? (if not a secret😊). I also plan to replace pickups on my vintage Ibanez RS824 for some passive DiMarzios . Now it has some 80's DiMarzio replicas by Maxon. They look and sound great but I think that is not the limit. Is there a particular PJ set you can recommend for such a bass, that would keep the character of the instrument the same?

[@ljgarrison6910]

Fucking awesome.

[@plevine81]

Mark, just play a fender jazz bass. What is that thing you're holding?

[@tbdmn83]

When he says "pinky" at around 4:00 he sounds like Shrek saying "Donkey." Sorry; had to. (no disrespect; love these lessons!)

[@kyledickenson1494]

"Hmm where have I seen this scale before..." *Every Geezer Butler bass run ever*

[@oumaronald2920]

But how can I download your videos

[@hemogoblin3076]

Amd this is why I miss my 6 string ;( I'm lazy and hate moving around

[@melroberts7987]

Murderous rage..** cheeky smile**

[@shawnhuff3597]

you can just do that E scale in first position open E G open A B open D so on and so on

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Shawn Huff That's right. There are many, many ways to play any scale and to be comfortable all over the fretboard and you have to practice all of them. However, that's not the point of this lesson. This is just focussing on one particular common fingering that you can use to move up through two octaves very easily and that also gives you access to that 5th/7th fret. Open strings are very different to fretted notes in terms of tone and your ability to control them so even though they are good for some things, they are a bad idea for others. The key is to have choices.

[@Murdo2112]

Apart from the tonal differences of open strings, I always find that learning things without using open strings makes them much easier to shift into other keys.

[@bassist2696]

Can we get the beat Sir. So we can practice by our self. Please

[@mmm0513]

What bass is this guy using? I know it’s an Ibanez but what model?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Sr1000.

[@pmSTUDIOse]

3:35 Why not change string to A and D instead of moving your hand a lot?

[@Spazzsticks]

Its to make things look coooler haha

[@andrasiboti]

The same note on different strings sounds differently..

[@pmSTUDIOse]

andrasboti Yes of course. Maybe better depending on what you prefer. I was just refering to ease of playing it.

[@gristams3439]

11:09 isnt that also called a triplet? i naturally do 3-2-1 on my right fingers. i find that easiest

[@talkingbasslessons]

No. It's not a triplet. A triplet is 3 evenly spaced notes in the beat (or across several beats). The rhythm I'm playing here is two 16th notes and an 8th note. Completely different rhythm.

[@gristams3439]

oh ok that makes sense. thanks for doing all this man your helping me ore than you will evr know

[@user-tv2fs5oh5f]

Thanks for the lessons! But please use a bit of light on your face. It's hard to look at it for long ))

[@museicluvva8529]

depression,angst and murderous rage, you'll do for me Em penta

[@hainguyenho3860]

Why dont have lesson material?

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Ho Hoi Jyun It's there on the website. I just hadn't linked to it yet.

[@talkingbasslessons]

+TalkingBass - Online Bass Lessons www.talkingbass.net/the-must-know-scale-for-every-rockfunk-bass-player-l138/

[@shawnhuff3597]

how come no one has any five string bass guitar lessons on KZbin

[@talkingbasslessons]

+Shawn Huff Both me and Scott Devine have made conscious decisions to avoid 5 strings for general bass lessons because 4 strings are so much more common and it can be confusing for beginner to intermediate players when trying to follow what's going on. I'm going to be doing some specific 5 string lessons soon that deal with the differences. The main issue is with muting. Once you've memorized the notes on the B string (or C string if using a high 5th), they are essentially the same instrument but muting and string skips can take a while to adapt to. Most teachers you see on KZbin use 5 strings on gigs, especially theater shows and other reading gigs. Scott even has a signature 5 string by Overwater he used a lot on his early vids. It just doesn't work so well for teaching the basics and the majority of people watching the vids are beginner to intermediate level.

[@downnorthmusic]

If you like this type of music, you may like ours!

[@nelsoning5803]

Level 42 riff! ,*\0/*

[@lonniewhite6502]

What's "chong" ?

[@mrfluffnstuff1095]

This was posted on my birthday lol thats ironic as hell cuz i play a lot of funk-rock/nu metal

[@plevine81]

I am truly sorry for your loss.

[@dopamining7621]

You forgot self-loathing.

[@dannylozano3153]

:D

[@Turkentorque]

I have a gig in 15 minutes talk faster thx!!

[@ThijsVerm]

And again you talk too much and worse…your voice is louder than the bass and actually what you are telling is such common knowledge

[@dennistinucci5735]

To date, you are still BADDDD...