Chords and Scales

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we continue the series on "Fundamentals. Today, "chords and scales". This is an area covered in many books and curricula, but IMO, it is rarely done in sufficient depth and can lead to shape and finger pattern dead ends. The (lofty) goal here is to know the notes of every chord, their function, where they are all over the board and what they sound like against the harmony...BEFORE YOU TOUCH THE BASS! Scales should be treated the same. These will be more difficult as there are obviously more notes to deal with. Too many methods empahsise "finger patterns" that quickly become stale. More u know music "on the molecular level, the more ur creativity will emerge. "Understand, not all notes of a given scale are created equal. Knowing what each note "buys you" and using them in a creative manner is a key skill. Ok, as usual...how? First, take one chord, in one key per shed. Start with triads, then branch out to 7ths and others. Write out the notes, find them all over the board. Sing them. Say their function. Play them against the chord. Take a different one each shed. When u have played them all...start again! Next, scales. Write out the scales you want to work on. IMO, start with pentatonics first. Do the same as with the chords. Know the function of the scale and ALL the ways it can be applied. Remember...NOTES, NOT PATTERNS! This is a lifelong endeavor and takes patience and discpline. I have all my students do this. I've been doing it for decades...I did it this morning! You will be amazed how 10 or 15 minutes of this work each shed will enhance your playing, originality and creativity. As always, I invite your insights. Feel free to PM me with questions here or thru my website. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com