Bass Fundamentals: Using The Five Positions To Learn The Bass Neck

By studying this system for the bass guitar fretboard, you will learn a very organized and systematic method to understand the musical language on the bass guitar. By language, I am referring to the notes used to construct the scales and chords used to create a vocabulary that we each use to play music.

As bass players, it is often the case that we recognize harmony only if the root is at the beginning or bottom of the scale, chord or pattern we choose to play. Of course, in general, the role of the bass is to play chord roots and build grooves based on root movements combined with appropriate rhythms. While this is very important and a role we fully embrace, it is not enough. Embellishing or "decorating" grooves with added notes and playing fills will be enhanced by a more complete understanding of harmony and how it maps out on the neck. In addition, If and when you desire to play solos, this system will really help.