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Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: B3Wannabe on December 13, 2004, 03:32:56 AM

Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 13, 2004, 03:32:56 AM
Assume we're playing in the key of "Bb" for all the following progressions. Also, I'm going to use arabic numbers instead of roman numerals for the progressions.

The diagram will be written as such:

----------
----------
----------
----------

...representing each string on the bass, the bottom line being the E (low) string. Fret positions will be written as arabic numbers on the line that you should play and in the order that you should play them left to right, as such:

-----------
-----------
---8-------
-8---6----


...means that you play C, the 8th fret on the E string, F the 8th fret on the A string, Bb the 6th fret on the E string, in that order. With that, here are the major progressions:


1-4-5:

-----------
-----------
---6--8---
-6--------
(Bb, Db, F)


2-5-1:

-----------
-----------
---8-------
-8---6----
(C, F, Bb)


7-3-6:

-----------
------5----
---5------
-5--------
(A, D, G)


3-6-2:

-----------
----5------
-5--------
------8---
(D, G, C)


5-1-4:

-----------
-----------
-8---6----
---6-------
(F, Bb, Db)




The following diagram shows where each part of a progression (or note of the Bb scale) is located on the fretboard for the key of Bb:

||(1st)----------------(5th)----------------------------------(12th)-----------

||---+-7-+-1-+---+-2-+---+-3-+-4-+---+-5-+---+-6-+---+-7-+
||-4-+---+-5-+---+-6-+---+-7-+-1-+---+-2-+---+-3-+-4-+---+
||-1-+---+-2-+---+-3-+-4-+---+-5-+---+-6-+---+-7-+-1-+---+
||-5-+---+-6-+---+-7-+-1-+---+-2-+---+-3-+-4-+---+-5-+---+


NOTE: Again, 1-7 denotes the keys of the Bb scale or the part of a progression. Also, this patter is good for all keys. All you have to do is rotate the bold part of each line left or right together. This part repeats because the 12th fret is the same as playing an open string one octave higher.


I'm sure this will help anyone get started with the bass guitar, and begin to understand the concept behind what's going on. This doesn't show you how to do improv, but keep the basic bass line of the progressions.
Title: this one made more sense
Post by: Redemeer01 on December 15, 2004, 08:29:25 PM
this one made more sense to me cuz it was more at a beginners level (which is me) and i know the like 5 and 8 and stuff is for frets
just im a beginner so dont laugh but what cord r u playing like first second third or forth G D A E
Title: oh im sorry
Post by: Redemeer01 on December 15, 2004, 08:30:39 PM
oh im sorry you did i just wasnt paying attention sorry
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 15, 2004, 08:39:28 PM
I don't understand what you mean by "chord"?
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: Redemeer01 on December 16, 2004, 07:39:40 PM
just
G
D
A
E
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 18, 2004, 12:24:26 AM
I'm even more lost now. You'll have to explain what you're talking about a little better.
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: ladybass on December 18, 2004, 06:40:05 AM
B3 ... I think Redeemer is asking what string you're playing on.

By the way B3 ... the way you write your bass tabs, is that the standard way?  I've been on sites (ex. activebass.com) where the bottom line is the E string and the top line is G.  

Something to get used to.
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 18, 2004, 06:48:50 AM
Yea. I've been to activebass a few times. I actually didn't pay much attention to the bass tabs that were posted on there. I just saw them and figured that it'd be good to write out a few. I didn't do any research on the "proper" or "standard" way to do it....Hmm....

To me though, it looks better this way, but maybe it's because I'm a noob. I just wrote it the way it looks if you're looking at the bass from the front, instead of down....*Hmm again*....Now that I think about it, maybe that way does make more sense....Oh well...I'll probably change it later....Thanks for letting me know that I had it backwards... :?  :cry:
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: Redemeer01 on December 18, 2004, 10:07:06 AM
Yea string sorry :oops:
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: ladybass on December 18, 2004, 05:06:28 PM
Yeah it threw me for a bit cause I was used to it the other way.  I'm glad I asked and I see now why you chose to write them the way you did.

Quote from: B3Wannabe

To me though, it looks better this way, but maybe it's because I'm a noob. I just wrote it the way it looks if you're looking at the bass from the front, instead of down....*Hmm again*....Now that I think about it, maybe that way does make more sense....Oh well...I'll probably change it later....Thanks for letting me know that I had it backwards... :?  :cry:
Title: Bass Guitar Notes...
Post by: CrystalClear on December 26, 2004, 07:54:48 PM
I've got a favor to ask ya'll

(I'm new on the forum) but let me start out as saying...

Hi my name's Tim Bonner and I live in the Chambersburg, PA area...

I play a 5 string bass ESP in a christian rock worship team...

Im trin to help my buddy (soundmans brother) learn 4 string...

He needs the notes for each fret and string.. He just got a Rogue for Christmas and is over joyed w/ it, Im gonna try and show him a few things that i know so i can hop on guitar now and then for our band "Crystal Clear"hence the reason for my "nickname" on the forum...

Thanx for everyones help in advance, and God Bless

~Tim Bonner
Title: Re: Bass Guitar Notes...
Post by: ladybass on December 26, 2004, 08:29:13 PM
Quote from: CrystalClear


(I'm new on the forum) but let me start out as saying...

Hi my name's Tim Bonner and I live in the Chambersburg, PA area...

I play a 5 string bass ESP in a christian rock worship team...


hope this helps:

(http://www.activebass.com/images/bassboard.gif)
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: CrystalClear on December 27, 2004, 03:35:53 PM
Thanx a bunch Kia...

I'll try and catch ya on AIM sometime...

God Bless
~Tim Bonner
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on December 29, 2004, 10:29:12 PM
Ok.....I fixed the diagrams....They are now in the normal, standard, format with E on the bottom and G on the top.

Like:

G
D
A
E

I also updated the 5-string one.
Title: o.o
Post by: insanesquirle on May 13, 2005, 09:05:01 PM
this is exactly what ive been trying to get from you guys the entire time lol i just dont understand how to use it and stuff
Title: Re: o.o
Post by: BACEFINGERS on May 17, 2005, 10:56:47 PM
Quote from: insanesquirle
this is exactly what ive been trying to get from you guys the entire time lol i just dont understand how to use it and stuff
He's diagraming chord progressions which translate into the scales and modes that can be used. To really understand any further you'd have to know a little theory.


In terms of notes of the scale the 1-4-5 progression in the key of C is C-F-G, a 2-5-1 would be D-G-C. A 2-5-1 progression in C would be Dm7, G7, Cmaj7. There are alot of different variables depending on how the chords and progressions are constructed.
Title: ..
Post by: insanesquirle on May 18, 2005, 05:11:59 PM
oh :-P thanks
Title: Re: Bass Guitar Notes...
Post by: gospel-lover on September 29, 2005, 06:09:21 PM
Quote from: ladybass
Quote from: CrystalClear


(I'm new on the forum) but let me start out as saying...

Hi my name's Tim Bonner and I live in the Chambersburg, PA area...

I play a 5 string bass ESP in a christian rock worship team...


hope this helps:

([url]http://www.activebass.com/images/bassboard.gif[/url])




Hey this is Brittany. Just a quick question. What is the difference between B3's diagram and ladybasses diagram? They look the same to me. The low E is the bottom line and so on right?

Thanks god bless
Title: Re: Bass Guitar Notes...
Post by: ladybass on September 29, 2005, 06:27:39 PM
Quote from: gospel-lover

Quote from: ladybass
Quote from: CrystalClear


(I'm new on the forum) but let me start out as saying...

Hi my name's Tim Bonner and I live in the Chambersburg, PA area...

I play a 5 string bass ESP in a christian rock worship team...


hope this helps:

([url]http://www.activebass.com/images/bassboard.gif[/url])




Hey this is Brittany. Just a quick question. What is the difference between B3's diagram and ladybasses diagram? They look the same to me. The low E is the bottom line and so on right?

Thanks god bless




they look the same now, but I believe originally, B3 had his charted like so

E ------------
A -8---6-----
D ---6-------
G ------------

Notice the difference in the string order
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on September 29, 2005, 06:33:17 PM
The one she posted shows all the notes on the fretboard, mine only shows the notes in the Bb scale.
Title: good deal b3
Post by: diverse379 on October 20, 2005, 12:47:59 PM
i am going to explore your progressions and such i played bass for a few years and laid it down for my piano and organ but now that they are shaping up i am picking up the bass again

one thing i will say about your transcripions for me as a bass player it is tough to read because when you look down at your bass neck the first string you see is the e string not the g string so the way you are doing it it is as if i am looking at someone elses bass sitting accross from me i guess it is just a visual idiosyncracy anyway kudos to you for being so acytive on informing people out there.
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: B3Wannabe on October 24, 2005, 07:31:54 AM
Thanks.

I'm taking a look at the choppy left hand post you made. Seems like you have that part down, I hadn't taken the time to learn it yet, but your post has pushed me to learn it sooner than I had planned.

Thanks for your post!
Title: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: johngray on November 24, 2005, 11:54:28 AM
IS THERE ANY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHIRIST BASS GUITAR PLAYERS OUT THERE   I AM GOING FROM PIANO TO BASS FOR A SHORT TIME TO
HELP THE DIRECTOR OUT  WITH TIMING   ANY ONE HAS ANY CORDS FOR WORSHIP MUSIC IN BASS GUITAR
BRO GRAY
DENVER COLORADO[/b]
Title: Re: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: 4hisglory on October 16, 2007, 12:48:12 PM
This is the post I've been looking for.  Thanks B3
Title: Re: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: baggettcindy on October 19, 2007, 01:48:00 AM


hope this helps:

([url]http://www.activebass.com/images/bassboard.gif[/url])


Hey thanx!!  I just added the bass to my arsenal...I am just starting out.  I don't really understand this tabbing thing...so this really helps.
Title: Re: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: baggettcindy on October 21, 2007, 07:27:56 PM
Okay....I have a question...what do the numbers mean?  the 8, 6, 6 etc.
Title: Re: Diagrams of the major progressions for bass guitar(4 string)
Post by: dhagler on October 21, 2007, 08:34:41 PM
Okay....I have a question...what do the numbers mean?  the 8, 6, 6 etc.
The numbers represent the fret on that particular string.