The A minor scale is a popular scale used in bass playing. It has a versatile sound that works well in a variety of musical genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. In this article, we will explore the A minor scale on bass and how people use it to create interesting and dynamic basslines.
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Notes on the A minor scale
The A minor scale is a seven-note scale that consists of the following notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. It is a relative minor scale to the C major scale, which means that it contains the same notes as the C major scale but starts on the sixth note (A) instead of the first note (C). This relationship between the A minor and C major scales makes it easy to switch between the two scales when playing bass.
To play the A minor scale on bass, start on the fifth fret of the E string (the A note) and play the following sequence of notes:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A
This sequence can be played in any order and in any position on the bass fretboard. It is important to practice playing this scale in different positions to develop finger strength and dexterity.
How to use the A minor scale on bass
Rock songs
One of the most common ways to use the A minor scale on bass is to create basslines for rock songs. The A minor scale has a dark and moody sound that works well with heavy distortion and power chords. To create a basic rock bassline using the A minor scale, start by playing the root note (A) on the first beat of each bar and then add in other notes from the scale to create a melodic line.
For example, a simple rock bassline using the A minor scale could look like this:
| A | – | C | – | D | E | – | A |
In this bassline, we play the root note (A) on the first beat of each bar, followed by the third note (C) and fourth note (D) of the scale. The fifth note (E) is played on the third beat of the second bar before returning to the root note (A) on the fourth beat.
Blues songs
The A minor scale can also be used to create basslines for blues songs. The blues is a genre that relies heavily on the minor pentatonic scale, which is a five-note scale derived from the natural minor scale. The A minor pentatonic scale consists of the following notes: A, C, D, E, and G. To create a basic blues bassline using the A minor pentatonic scale, start by playing the root note (A) on the first beat of each bar and then add in other notes from the scale to create a melodic line.
For example, a simple blues bassline using the A minor pentatonic scale could look like this:
| A | – | – | – | C | – | – | – |
| D | – | – | – | E | – | – | – |
| A | – | – | – | C | – | – | – |
| D | E | – | – | A | – | – | – |
In this bassline, the root note (A) is played on the first beat of each bar, followed by a rest on the second beat. The third note (C) is played on the first beat of the second bar, followed by a rest on the second beat. The fourth note (D) is played on the first beat of the third bar, followed by a rest on the second beat.
Jazz music
The A minor scale can also be used in jazz music. Jazz basslines often use walking basslines, which are basslines that move up and down the scale in a smooth and fluid motion. To create a basic jazz bassline using the A minor scale, start by playing the root note (A) on the first beat of each bar and then add in other notes from the scale to create a melodic line.
For example, a simple jazz bassline using the A minor scale could look like this:
| Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| A | B | C# | D# |
| F# | G# | A | B |
| E | F# | G# | A |
In this bassline, each bar represents a different chord in a ii-V-I progression in the key of G major. The first bar is an Am7 chord, so the root note (A) is played on the first beat followed by other notes from the A minor scale that fit with this chord. The second bar is a D7 chord, so we use notes from the D mixolydian scale (which contains all the notes from the A minor scale) to create a melodic line that fits with this chord. The third bar is a Gmaj7 chord, so notes from the G major scale are used to create a melodic line that fits with this chord. Finally, the fourth bar is a Cmaj7 chord, so use notes from the C major scale to create a melodic line that fits with this chord.
In conclusion, the A minor scale is a versatile scale that can be used in a variety of musical genres. Whether you’re playing rock, blues, or jazz, incorporating this scale into your basslines can add depth and complexity to your playing. Practice playing this scale in different positions and experiment with different melodic lines to find what works best for you.
