min7 Arpeggio Study for Electric Bass

Continuing the series of simple down-the-neck arpeggio patterns for the electric bass.

As with all the exercises in the series, the ultimate goal is to develop an automatic awareness and instant recall of the common chord tones for each of the major chord types.   Be aware of the patterns, but more importantly, try to recognize the chord tones in relationship to each other - learn to see where the third is, or the seventh, root, fifth (or more...)  These are the building blocks for bass figures and lines - whether walking, playing an ostinato,  a tumbao, two beat, push or whatever.....

As always, practice backwards and forwards, slowly and with a metronome.  If you can, try to set the metronome as the 2 & 4.  (So adjust your tempo by cutting it in half and counting the beats of the metronome as _ 2 _ 4)

 


min7 arpeggio study for electric bass (PDF)

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Dom7 Arpeggio Study for Electric Bass

This is an arpeggio study of Dominant Seventh Chords on the electric

 bass.  

While it is labeled 'First Position' there are a few fingerings that extend up to the sixth fret and require some minor hand shifts.  My goal was to offer at least two fingering options for each chord - using both open strings and introducing some basic closed shapes -  while allowing the student to stay within the lower 5-6 frets of the bass.   It is essential to be fluent in all common chord shapes in this area before moving to the closed chord voicing shapes up the neck.    

Practice all shapes forward and backward.  Experiment with sequencing the chord tones once you have memorized them.