Using 4 Minor Scales Over Chords Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com


Bass lesson about Minor scales that you can use over minor chords

This is just a simple lesson about minor chords 
so don't confuse it with major chords or dominant chords!
we stay in minor 

the chords we are gonna loop are: minor
                                  minor 7
                                  minor 9
                                  minor 11

Scales that we gonna use are:     natural minor
                                  Doric minor
                                  pentatonic minor
                                  blues minor
the approach is simple! 
the best way to learn this lesson is to download a program called
band—in—a—box.
If you have a sequencer or a keyboard that loops a chord that's also
good okey.                            

First something about the (minor) chord.
      — it has a root
      — a minor 3rd   ,3  steps from root
      — a 5th         ,7  steps from root
       
      — a minor 7th   ,10 steps from root   

      — a minor 9th   ,14 steps from root, 
       
       but here we don't look at it this way 
       it's 2 steps from a the octave
       which is 12 steps from root.
       it's the first octave that contains the chord tones
       1, 3, 5, and 7
       in the 2nd octave you'll find a 9th (octaved 2nd) ,11th (octaved 
4th) 
       and 13nd (octaved 6th).


now something about the scales you been waiting for haha!
different scales have different sounds, yeah that's logical
you say! okay.. well let me put it this way: 
changing only one tone causes that! 
eventualy you will train your ear to play the scale that 
sound best for you over a chord, but it must be HARONIC 
with the melody don't forget this!!!

Okay let's begin! 
play any C minor chord and loop it

Choose one of the scales from below and play them
in a melodic or rhythmic way all over the bass, even below
the 12th fret, but this only if you control your freedom
above the 12th fret. 
(remember when you make a fault.. return to it and ask yourself 
what did i play wrong, what did'nt belong in the scale and continue 
playing)

important is to play the scale everywhere and and in diffrent ways
alway start from root or chord tone, that is 1, 3, 5, ect..
see the root in your mind when your playing.. 

natural minor   Doric minor    Pentatonic minor Blues minor
G|—————————3—5—|——————————3—5—|———————3—5——————|———————3—5——|
D|—————3—56————|—————3—5—7————|————3—5—————————|————345—————|
A|—3—56————————|—3—56—————————|—3—6————————————|—3—6————————|
E|—————————————|——————————————|————————————————|————————————|


example how to play the C natural minor scale in different ways!

Natural minor   or..          or..           or..
G|——————01—3—5—|———————————5—|——————————————|———————————————————|
D|——01—3———————|———————56—8——|——————56—8—10—|————————————6—8—10—|
A|—3———————————|—3—56—8——————|——56—8————————|——————6—8—10———————|
E|—————————————|—————————————|—8————————————|——8—10—————————————|

or..            or..         or..           etc, ect..
G|——————01—3—5—|——————————5—|——————————3—5—|———————————|
D|—————3———————|————3—56—8——|———01—3—56————|———————————|
A|———56————————|——56————————|——3———————————|———————————|
E|—8———————————|—8——————————|——————————————|———————————|

Practise this a hour a day minimal, learn to play the scales
and learn to hear them..
Cheers!

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 — Using 4 Minor Scales Over Chords bass tabs