5 String Chord Voicings/Scales Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com

This Tab illustrates some cool chord voicings on 5 string bass.
Below the chord voicing, I'll have a 2 octave scale that goes with it.
We will use B as the root for all of these examples.

B major 7

G|15——————|A# (7)  
D|13——————|D# (3)
A|————————|
E|14——————|F# (5)
B|12——————|B  (1)

B Lydian

 |1  2  3 #4  5  6  7  1  2  3 #4  5  6  7  1  |
 |B  C# D# E# F# G# A# B  C# D# E# F# G# A# B  |
G|————————————————————————————————————13—15—16—|
D|———————————————————————————13—15—16——————————|
A|———————————————11—13—14—16———————————————————|
E|——————11—13—14———————————————————————————————|
B|12—14————————————————————————————————————————|

(E# = F)
(You can also use the B major scale/pentatonic scale)

B minor 7

G|14——————|A (b7)  
D|12——————|D (b3)
A|————————|
E|14——————|F# (5)
B|12——————|B  (1)

B Dorian

 |1  2 b3  4  5  6 b7  1  2 b3  4  5  6 b7  1  |
 |B  C# D  E  F# G# A  B  C# D  E  F# G# A  B  |
G|————————————————————————————————————13—14—16—|
D|——————————————————————————————14—16——————————|
A|——————————————————12—14—16—17————————————————|
E|—————————12—14—16————————————————————————————|
B|12—14—15—————————————————————————————————————|

(You could also play B Aeolian (Natural Minor), Phrygian or Minor Pentatonic)

B 7 (Dominant 7)

G|14——————|A (b7)  
D|13——————|D# (3)
A|————————|
E|14——————|F# (5)
B|12——————|B  (1)

B Mixolydian

 |1  2  3  4  5  6 b7  1  2  3  4  5  6 b7  1  |
 |B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  |
G|————————————————————————————————————13—14—16—|
D|———————————————————————————13—14—16——————————|
A|——————————————————12—14—16———————————————————|
E|—————————12—14—16————————————————————————————|
B|12—14—16—————————————————————————————————————|


B Phrygian Dominant

 |1 b2  3  4  5 b6 b7  1 b2  3  4  5 b6 b7  1  |
 |B  C  D# E  F# G  A  B  C  D# E  F# G  A  B  |
G|———————————————————————————————————————14—16—|
D|———————————————————————————13—14—16—17———————|
A|——————————————————12—14—15———————————————————|
E|——————11—12—14—15————————————————————————————|
B|12—13————————————————————————————————————————|

(There are many scales that work over Dominant Chords)
(Check out my my Chord/Scale Tabs for more info)

*All of these patterns are movable!*

Now let's look at a chord proression Using these Chords and Scales.
I'm going to Omit (Take Out) the 5th's of each chord.
This will make them a bit easier to play. (you also don't need them.)
Feel free to put them in there if you wish

  |C# minor 7      |B7              |A major 7       |G#7             |
G||16——————————————|14——————————————|13——————————————|11——————————————||
D||14——————————————|13——————————————|11——————————————|10——————————————||
A|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
E|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
B||14——————————————|12——————————————|10——————————————|9———————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

 |C# Aeolian                                   |
 |1  2 b3  4  5 b6 b7  1  2 b3  4  5 b6 b7  1  |
 |C# D# E  F# G# A  B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  C# |
G|———————————————————————————————————————16—18—|
D|——————————————————————————————16—18—19———————|
A|——————————————————14—16—18—19————————————————|
E|—————————14—16—17————————————————————————————|
B|14—16—17—————————————————————————————————————|

 |B Mixolydian                                 |
 |1  2  3  4  5  6 b7  1  2  3  4  5  6 b7  1  |
 |B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  |
G|————————————————————————————————————13—14—16—|
D|———————————————————————————13—14—16——————————|
A|——————————————————12—14—16———————————————————|
E|—————————12—14—16————————————————————————————|
B|12—14—16—————————————————————————————————————|

 |A Lydian                                     |
 |1  2  3 #4  5  6  7  1  2  3 #4  5  6  7  1  |
 |A  B  C# D# E  F# G# A  B  C# D# E  F# G# A  |
G|————————————————————————————————————11—13—14—|
D|———————————————————————————11—13—14——————————|
A|———————————————9——11—12—14———————————————————|
E|——————9——11—12———————————————————————————————|
B|10—12————————————————————————————————————————|

 |G# Phrygian Dominant                         |
 |1 b2  3  4  5 b6 b7  1 b2  3  4  5 b6 b7  1  |
 |G# A  B# C# D# E  F# G# A  B# C# D# E  F# G# |
G|———————————————————————————————————————11—13—|
D|———————————————————————————10—11—13—14———————|
A|——————————————————9——11—12———————————————————|
E|——————8——9——11—12————————————————————————————|
B|9——10————————————————————————————————————————|

(B# = C)

With the exception of the B# (or C) in The G# Scale,
You'll notice that every scale has the same notes.
That I because this Porgression is a 6,5,4,3 Progression
In the key of E Major.
The G#7 is what's known as a "Secondary Dominant."
Basically, this G#7 is the 5 chord of C# minor.
So it creates a "Cadence" that resolves nicely.

I hope that this has been useful.
This tab is simply a jumping off point.
There is alot more to this subject.
Please Message me for further questions/observations.
Thanks,

Just3boyz

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Bass Lessons — 5 String Chord Voicings/Scales bass tabs