Bass Scales
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So you want to play bass in jazz band? Oh yeah! Jazz Band is SOOO much fun, and playing the bass in Jazz Band will make you an even better player.
Why?
Orchestras and Bands emphasize different musical scales. Bands play in scales that feature flats, and orchestras play in scales that feature sharps. But well-rounded players can do both. This is a tough task at the middle school level, but it is achievable if you have desire to put in the effort.
Why put in the effort to learn to play with a Jazz Band? Because Jazz Band is AWESOME! You get to play with drums, electric guitars, loud trumpets, trombones, saxes. And the music is so different, it really gets your feet tapping and your pulse racing. Plus, jazz bands play at jazz festivals, where tons of people come to WATCH YOU PLAY!
Also, another little known fact about learning to play in a jazz band is that it prepares you to play your bass in other groups as you grow older. You will find out that musicians who play bass are always in demand. If you can play a wide variety of music, you will start to find out that people will want you to play with them!
Tip: AVOID being the player who just uses your index finger to play all the notes.
This is an inefficient way to play, and it will likely keep you from having success in the future. Get used to having your first finger down, your first & second finger down, and all your fingers down!
Your first task should be to learn the C Major Scale. This scale is closest to what you play in orchestra.
The D Major scale that you are very familiar with in orchestra has an F# and a C#. Your task in learning the C Major scale is to learn the F natural and the C natural. So pay attention to these notes. They make all the difference!
Pay attention to the positions you need to be in to play the notes of the scale.
You can see in the C major scale that you need to start in 1/2 position on the A string with all 4 fingers down to get to your C.
Then as you progress up the scale you are going to shift to 2nd position to get out the B and C naturals.
You will shift back to 1/2 position as you work your way back down the scale.
Your second task should be to learn the F Major Scale. This scale is much like the C scale, but it adds 1 flat. This flat is called the Bb. It is important to realize the Bb and B are very different notes.
The F Major Scale
Try not to be intimidated by the F major scale. It just starts in 1/2 position, and as you work your way up to the high C you shift to 3rd position. In jazz band you won't need to play those extra high notes very often past the high C. But, learning the E and F natural in Fifth position is fun once you are ready for it!
THIRD - Now learn the Bb Scale! This is the most common scale for bands. But for you it adds another flat besides the Bb. It adds Eb. So this is a scale with 2 flats.
The Bb Major Scale
The great thing about the Bb scale is that it stays in 1/2 position for the whole scale. That makes it really easy to learn!
4th - Now learn the Eb Scale! This is another common scale for bands. It adds another flat besides the Bb and Eb. So this is a scale with 3 flats. The new flat is Ab.
The Eb Major Scale
The bass is not designed to play a low Eb, as its lowest note is E natural. Therefore to start this scale you have to start on the 3rd space Eb. Use 1/2 postition to do this, then shift to 1st position to play your low G. Shift back to 1/2 position as you get to the low Bb. You will shift to 2nd position briefly on the high Bb and C, then 3rd and 1/2 position for the high D and Eb.
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