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Step 1
Study the structure of the pentatonic scale. It may start with any note which tells you the key of the scale and ascends as follows: three steps, two steps, two steps, three steps and two steps to complete the octave. Note that 3+2+2+3+2=12 and there are 12 steps in an octave.
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Step 2
Look at the notes in the pentatonic scale for the key of C. Using the pattern given in Step 1, these notes are C, E flat, F, G, B flat and C again for the octave.
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Step 3
Begin at the top note of the pentatonic scale. In this example, start with the ring finger fretting the G string at the fifth fret (C).
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Step 4
Pluck the G string, remove the ring finger and use the index finger on the third fret before plucking the G string again (B flat). Now play the third string (D in standard tuning) at the seventh fret (G).
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Step 5
Repeat the second (B flat) and third notes (G) before playing the fourth note down (F) in the scale. Continue this pattern of playing each sequence of three notes as you go down the scale, also known as "trickling" down the scale.
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Step 6
Observe the complete pattern in this example. Given that a bass guitar has four strings tuned to E, A, D and G, we have the following: seventh and fifth frets on the fourth string; seventh and fifth frets on the third string; eighth and fifth frets on the second string and eighth and fifth frets on the first string.
