How to Play a Pentatonic Blues Scale on Bass Guitar

Once you are able to play all notes, scales and chords on your bass guitar, it is time to try a pentatonic blues scale. Many blues techniques are used by bassists in jazz and rock and roll. Use the guide below to try a basic bass groove in the key of G.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Play the third fret of the E string to begin with. Follow that with the fifth fret of the D string. Play the third fret of the same string and finally the fifth fret of the A string to finish that sequence.

2. Repeat the box pattern created with those fingerings on other strings to create the pentatonic scale.

3. Move your fingers in that pattern as follows: index finger, pinky finger, index finger, pinky finger.

4. Perform the third fret of the A string, the fifth fret of the G string, the third fret of the G string, and finally the fifth fret of the D string to complete the next sequence.

5. Continue with the sequence in the key of D, beginning with the fifth fret of the A string, followed by the seventh fret of the G string, fifth fret of the G string, and finally the seventh fret of the D string.

6. Strum the final key with the third fret of the A string, fifth fret of the G string, third fret of the G string and fifth fret of the D string.

7. Practice this pentatonic blues scale everyday forwards and backwards until you can plat it quickly with smooth transitions between the notes.