To descend the scale, play the same fingering backwards. Shift one string higher and play 1 and 3. Shift to the next higher string, play 1, 3, 4. To finger the natural minor scale, begin on the E-string or A-string and play fingers 1, 3, 4. This fingering works anywhere on the fretboard of the bass when begun on the E-string or A-string. Starting on finger one may take some getting used to, so pay attention.

The initial major patterns you've probably already learned and practiced (major scale, major triad, etc.) begin on your second finger. Most of the easier minor scale and chord pattern fingerings begin on your first finger. You will advance more quickly if you always use the exact same fingering. Be very consistent with your fingerings for any scale or pattern you learn. You will want to use one finger per fret to cover the four-fret range. The first fingering to learn for the one octave natural minor scale is fairly easy. We would then say the natural minor scale has a flatted 3rd, flatted 6th, and flatted 7th.Īll scales and patterns can be played many different ways on the bass fretboard. In the natural minor scale the 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees are all a half-step lower than they are in the major scale. The natural minor scale differs from the notes of the major scale by three notes. Majorįor reference, musicians often talk about scales in how they compare to the major scale. Like the major scale it contains a Root (R), 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. The natural minor scale is a seven-note scale (don’t count the octave). For example, if a song is said to be in the key of G minor it means the song is built using, and revolves around, the notes of the G natural minor scale.

When this happens we say the music is in a minor key. Like the major scale, many songs revolve around the notes of the natural minor scale. The natural minor scale is one of music’s most commonly used scales.

E flat minor fingering