Chapter 1: Beginners
Warm-Ups for Beginners

Objective: To learn a method of playing two octave scales using different positions on the fingerboard

What we will begin doing every time we pick-up the bass is develop a good habit of warming up before we start to actually play anything. This is a good idea for several reasons.......First of all, it increases the flow of blood to the hands which increases the temperature and helps the joints and muscles stretch and perform better. It also starts the process of getting the mind to focus and concentrate on playing ideas and finally it allows the union of the physical, mental and spiritual sides of the musical process to all come together. This is what most athletes do before any competition or exercise.

Let's look at the Warm-Up for Beginners #1 and what we'll see is a scale pattern based on the C Major scale. We will be using the following fingering pattern (assigning one finger per fret) for major scales: 2-4; 1-2-4; 1-3-4. This means that starting on the "A" string (with the second finger between the 2nd and 3rd frets) we will be playing the first note (C) of the scale, then play the second note (D) of the scale with the fourth finger (with the finger between the 4th and 5th fret). On the next string (D string) we will play the third note (E) of the scale with the first finger (between the 1st and 2nd frets) , the fourth note (F) of the scale with the second finger (between the 2nd and 3rd frets) and the fifth note (G) of the scale with the fourth finger (between the 4th and 5th frets). Finally, on the next string (G string) we'll play the sixth note (A) of the scale with the first finger (between the 1st and 2nd frets), the seventh note (B) of the scale with the third finger (between the 3rd and 4th frets) and the eighth note (C) of the scale with the fourth finger (between the 4th and 5th frets). Note that there are two positions that you can play this same scale in the same register and a third position in which you'll be playing it an octave higher. The first position starts on the A string and the second position has us starting on the E string (with the second finger playing "C" between the 7th & 8th frets). Using the fingering that I've notated in the diagram I want you to play the C Major scale in the first position then pause to reposition your hand and then play the C Major scale in the second position then pause again and play the C Major scale in the third position an higher octave. You should eventually be able to play this scale in all three positions comfortably at 96 bpm (beats per minute) shifting from one position to another without it feeling awkward and yet still sounding musical.

Once you have mastered playing the C Major scale then we want to add another scale to increase our knowledge of the fingerboard. Next let's add the A Natural Minor Scale (which is the relative minor to C Major). We will use this scale as a way to link the two C Major scales together. First play the A Minor scale using the fingerings suggested in the Warm-Up for Beginners #2. We will be playing this scale in two positions and just like the C Major scale we should be able to play in both positions comfortably at 96 bpm shifting from one position to the other so that the transitions are smooth and it sounds musical.

Now that you have learned to play the C Major scale and the A Minor scale let's combine the two. You'll see in the Warm-Up for Beginners #3 that we can start on the A string with the second finger on the note "C" and play the first five notes of the C Major scale which will bring you to "G" on the D string. Then transition to the next six notes (by shifting your left hand up the neck) which will be the beginning of the A Minor scale starting with the first finger on the note "A" on the D string and end with the fourth finger on the note "F" on the G string. Don't move your left hand, now try playing the same thing starting with the C Major scale on the E string. Play the first five notes of the C Major scale which will bring you to "G" on the A string and transition up the neck to the A Minor scale with the first finger on the note "A" and continue following the fingering to complete the second octave of the C Major scale as shown in the diagram. See if you can learn to play these two scales both ascending (going up the neck) & descending (going down the neck) in the key of C.

I would try to set aside at least one hour each day to devote to this class in a quiet environment where you will not be interrupted. Don't only focus on what you are hearing and seeing but also listen to the music that you are creating as a whole.

Once you have practiced this pattern start applying the same concept in the keys of "F Major/D Relative Minor", "Bb Major"/G Relative Minor, "Eb Major/C Relative Minor" & "Ab Major/F Relative Minor" as in Warm-Up for Beginners #4. When you go to warm-up in a new key please keep in mind that there are going to be certain notes that will not be natural anymore. I've included some patterns that show how to transition from the major scale to the relative minor scale and back to the major scale again to complete a two octave scale. Practice these everyday (before you start jamming with your band ) for 20 minutes and you'll eliminate "Gorilla Grip" which is what happens when you start playing intensely without warming up and the muscles in your hand start cramping.

What you should notice after the first few weeks of warming-up before you play is that playing the bass isn't such a physical struggle anymore. Even those of you who have small hands will notice the difference............Good Luck and remember at anytime should your hand start to hurt or you feel cramping........STOP PLAYING !!.....relax for a few minutes and then continue.......................this is not a test to see how strong you can be. It is a way to improve your ability to play the instrument............. Enjoy The Journey !!

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