Building a 12 key Facility for the Jazz Bassist Pt. II

Building a 12 key Facility for the Jazz Bassist Pt. II – Methods for practicing scales, modes & arpeggios.

Building a 12 key Facility Pt. II Book V in the “Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines” series outlines the various approaches used to build instrumental facility through the study of scales, modes and arpeggios.

Building a 12 key Facility Pt. I Book IV in the “Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines ” series for the upright & electric bassist focuses on practicing jazz standard and bebop chord progressions in 12 keys. A task practised rigorously by the jazz masters.

Included are the Major and Melodic minor scales, arpeggios and modes in 12 keys, Bebop scales, Blues scales, Major and Minor pentatonic scales and the Harmonic minor scale all in 12 keys. Also included are the symmetric scales : Whole tone, Diminished & Augmented scales in triad and 7th chord formations. Incorporating these techniques into the daily practice routine will solidify the core fundamentals required for the improvising musician.

Scale studies are utilised by the bassist to learn harmony and instrumental facility  building dexterity, flexibilty and stamina. The 12 key exercise drills  for building muscle memory and training the ear. An excellent resource of information for bass players and music teachers of all levels.

Practicing scales and having a dedicated daily practice routine are at the core of professional musicians worldwide.