Play the Bass Guitar Overnight! Common thumb position for constructing chords. It is also ok to press your thumb into the back of the neck when playing.
1121 scale and chord patterns!
Any stringed instrument! Any tuning!
Guitar Lovers Manual is a digital book with sound in PDF format for printing purposes. It contains chords, scales and arpeggios. High graphic resolution enables printing of best quality large format printouts. A quick cheat sheet to help you find common ways to translate chords to what modes to use. Cipher Scale. Same shapes as the standard scale chart. This is the cipher system. Your best source to find bass charts like bass arpeggios, bass fretboard notes, videos, tab paper, and more. All stuff for bass guitar, there's so much free bass stuff. Chord scales are built by harmonizing any scale or mode across a bass string on the guitar. The Lydian dominant chord scale to 7 th chords. FREE 82-Page PDF. From Bass Guitar For Dummies, Book + Online Video & Audio Instruction, 3rd Edition. By Patrick Pfeiffer. The real fun and challenge of playing a bass guitar is that the patterns of the chords and scales never change, no matter what musical key you’re in. Memorizing the order of your bass’s musical notes can prepare you to tackle those chords and scales.
This app is recommended for screen widths 600px and higher.
major triad
augmented triad
major 7th
minor 7th
diminished 7th
minor 6th
dominant 9th
dominant 7 b9th
major
dorian
lydian
aeolian
locrian
minor pentatonic
diminished wh
wholetone
harmonic minor
chromatic
lydian dominant
locrian #2
phyrgian dominant
Arabic
Page
Chord/Scale
Instrument Settings
Common Instruments and Tunings | ||
---|---|---|
Custom Instrument and Tuning | ||
---|---|---|
Enter tuning notes from low to high separated by commas for up to 12 strings. (Lower case b = flat, # = sharp) |
Diagram Options
Select Chord/Scale
© 2003-2019 Leading Tone Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. PRIVATE USE ONLY.
Donate to StudyBass
Notes on Version 3.1 Beta of the Fretboard Printer
No more Flash! This new fretboard diagram printer is a work in progress. If you find any bugs, please report them.
Description of the Scale and Chord Tone Fretboard Printer
The Scale and Chord Tone Fretboard Printer is a free fretboard generator for any stringed instrument. I designed it for my bass students and for you to use.
This free scale and chord generator allows you to view and print out the fretboard notes or fingerboard charts to most any scale, chord, or arpeggio on any stringed instrument in any tuning. The default tuning displays a bass fretboard, but don't be fooled. It supports all stringed instruments — like guitar, bass guitar, violin, cello, mandolin — for any number of strings in any standard tuning, dropped tuning or alternate tuning you can think of. It's a very powerful fretboard diagramming application..
Some things you can do with the scale and chord tone diagram printer:
- Generate guitar scales or bass scales on the fretboard.
- View and print scales for drop-D tuning on a guitar or bass fretboard.
- Display the notes to guitar chords on the fret board.
- Find your own guitar chord voicings by assembling the arpeggio notes of chords in various ways.
- Print out all the guitar notes on the guitar fretboard or bass notes on the bass fretboard.
- Create printable blank fretboard diagrams for any number of strings in any shape or size.
- Create and print scales for violin, cello, double bass and other fretless string instruments.
- Show the notes of natural harmonics on the guitar, bass guitar or any other stringed instrument.
- Generate diagrams for almost all scales and chords from the vast scale and chord dictionary.
- Make left-handed guitar fretboard diagrams.
I tried to make the scale diagrams and chord diagrams as simple and neat as possible. Most musicians can't afford those color ink cartridges so all diagrams are in printer-friendly greyscale.
The way the fretboard charts are displayed can be changed in a number of ways including the number of frets, starting fret, the width and height of the fretboard, etc. It is very customizable.
Play around with the program; you should figure out how it works pretty easily. Good luck memorizing all of your scales, modes and chord tones!
If you have questions about using the program, help for the Scale and Chord Tone Fretboard Printer follows..
Using the Scale and Chord Tone Fretboard Printer
The fretboard printer is laid out with a piece of paper for printing at the top and a user interface at the bottom. Using the controls you can make just about any note diagram you want.
I'll explain each tab and what the various controls, options, and settings do.
The Instrument Tab
On this tab you can set the number of strings and tuning note for each string for your diagram. Many of the most popular and common tunings for popular instruments are already listed under the presets. You can also quickly create a custom instrument for any number of strings in any tuning.
Instrument Presets
To select from the preset tunings, first choose an instrument. A list of preset instruments from which to choose will drop down. Click an instrument to select it.
Here is a table of instruments for which you'll find presets:
Preset Instruments | ||
---|---|---|
4-string bass | 5-string bass | 6-string bass |
6-string guitar | 7-string guitar | acoustic guitar |
mandolin | banjo | ukulele |
6-string lute | 8-string lute | oud |
violin | viola | cello |
double bass |
Once you've selected an instrument, if you don't want the standard tuning it loaded, click to select a new tuning. A menu of preset tunings for that instrument will drop down. Click to select a tuning.
Custom Tuning
A lot of people are using non-standard tunings. One reason I created this software was to help people properly learn scales and chords in alternate tunings. Since scale and chord books can't be printed for every possible tuning, many people end up not learning their instrument when they use these altered tunings.
You can easily create a custom instrument by simply typing in the tuning note for each string seperated by commas. For example, if you type in E,A,D,G# and click set, you will create a 4-string instrument tuned from lowest-pitched string to highest E,A,D,G#. You can use any number of valid notes (natural, single sharp, or flat) you like: A, A#, Bb, B, C, C#, Db, D, D#, Eb, E, F, F#, Gb, G, G#, and Ab.
When you click the set button a new diagram is generated with the new tuning and correct number of strings. It is also saved on your computer into your own personal list of custom tunings. To access these saved custom tunings, select custom from the instrument menu, then click to select the custom tuning saved in memory.
Save as Default Tuning
If you have a preferred tuning, you can set it as your default tuning for each time you return to the fretboard diagram generator. When you have the tuning you want, click the save button. It will be stored as your default tuning on this computer.
The Fretboard Diagram Settings Tab
Note: most of these can be adjusted with a scale or chord diagrammed on the page. But, some adjustments (like number of frets and starting fret) will overwrite the existing diagram.
Number of Frets and Starting Fret
On the diagram tab you can adjust the fretboard layout in a number of different ways.
To adjust the number of positions or frets displayed, select the number of frets you want to display from the drop-down menu.
To select the starting position or fret of the note chart, select from the drop-down list of position numbers.
Note: each time you adjust the number of frets or starting position, you will overwrite the diagram. Tournament software bwf world championship 2011.
Save as Default Diagram Settings
When you click the save button you will save all current diagram settings found on the diagram tab as your default display. That includes the fretboard width and height, note size, whether the chart is fretless, shows scale degrees, etc. (See below.) Each time you click save it will overwrite the previous settings and apply the current ones.
Fretboard Layout Adjustments
Diagram Height - Increase or decrease the height of your fretboard diagram.
Diagram Width - Increase or decrease the width of your fretboard diagram.
Note Size - Increase or decrease the size of the notes on the fretboard.
Diagram Width - Increase or decrease the width of your fretboard diagram.
Note Size - Increase or decrease the size of the notes on the fretboard.
Show All Notes - You can view all the notes on the fretboard by clicking show all. To toggle between sharps and flats, just click show all again.
Clear - You can clear all the notes from the note diagram by clicking this button.
Clear - You can clear all the notes from the note diagram by clicking this button.
There are several toogle switches for fretboard adjustments:
Fretless - select between a fretted or a fretless note diagram.
Left-Handed - switches between a right-handed and left-handed fretboard diagram.
Show Fret Markers - shows the fret position markers on the fretboard.
Fret Numbers - show or hide the fret numbers at the bottom of the fret map
Scale Degrees - toggle between the notes on the fretboard written as letter names (C, D, Eb, F,..) or scale degrees (R,2,b3,4,..)
Left-Handed - switches between a right-handed and left-handed fretboard diagram.
Show Fret Markers - shows the fret position markers on the fretboard.
Fret Numbers - show or hide the fret numbers at the bottom of the fret map
Scale Degrees - toggle between the notes on the fretboard written as letter names (C, D, Eb, F,..) or scale degrees (R,2,b3,4,..)
Page Settings Tab
On this tab you can toggle between landscape view and portrait view. Your fret board chart will print out precisely as it is displayed. You may need to adjust the size of your diagram to fit the page.
The page orientation will aslo be saved as part of your default settings set on the diagram tab.
Scale Settings Tab
On this tab of the interface you can select scales to display on the fretboard chart. You can display one scale at a time.
Overwrite Diagram - when enabled selecting a scale diagram will overwrite the notes of any selected chord diagram under the chord settings tab. If not enabled the scale you select will be combined with the selected chord.
Select Root Note - choose a root note for the scale diagram you want to generate.
Select Scale - choose a scale or mode to show on the fret board.
Here is a list of currently available scale diagrams from which to choose:
Scale Charts | |
---|---|
major scale | ionian mode |
dorian mode | phrygian mode |
lydian mode | mixolydian mode |
aeolian mode | natural minor scale |
locrian mode | major pentatonic scale |
minor pentatonic scale | minor blues scale |
diminished wh scale | diminished hw scale |
wholetone scale | harmonic major scale |
harmonic minor scale | melodic minor scale |
chromatic scale | lydian augmented scale |
lydian dominant scale | Hindu scale |
locrian #2 scale (locrian natural 2) | super locrian scale |
phrgian dominant scale | Hungarian minor scale |
Arabic scale | more to come.. |
Chord Settings Tab
On this tab you can select a chord / arpeggio diagram.
Overwrite Diagram - when enabled selecting a chord diagram will overwrite the notes of any selected scale diagram under the scale settings tab. If not enabled the chord you select will be combined with the selected scale.
Select Root Note - choose a root note for the chord diagram you want to generate.
Select Chord - choose a chord / arpeggio to display on the fretboard.
Here is a list of currently available chord diagrams from which to choose:
Chord/Arpeggio Charts | |
---|---|
major triad | minor triad |
augmented triad | diminished triad |
major 7th chord | dominant 7th chord |
minor 7th chord | minor 7th (b5) chord |
diminished 7th chord | major 6th chord |
minor 6th chord | major 9th chord |
dominant 9th chord | minor 9th chord |
more to come.. |
Harmonics Settings Tab
On the harmonics settings tab you can choose to display or hide the natural harmonics on the fretboard. The harmonics will overlap any chord or scale diagrams already drawn on the fretboard.
To toggle the harmonics view between sharps and flats, click show all again.
Print Tab
On the print tab you can print out your fretboard diagram.
Click the print button and your page will go to your printer exactly as it is shown on the page. If you've used version 1.0 make note that the program now adjusts automatically to your printer settings. Don't adjust your printer settings for landscape.
Fretboard Printer FAQ
Is the fretboard note printer available in an offline format? Can I download it?
No. The fretboard printer is for online use only at studybass.com. It won't work offline.
Can I put the fretboard diagram printer on my website?
No. Why not just post a link pointing to this tool? The internet doesn't need duplicate content. Plus, I did all the work! :)
When will you add more scales and chords?
I'll add them as I have time. I bet if you really know the scales and chords already posted, you probably don't need any other scale and chord diagrams. :)
Eventually I will add some more unusual scales and chords.
Fretboard Diagram Printer Summary
I hope you enjoy the Fretboard Diagram Printer and find it useful! You can learn a lot from studying the note charts of the scales and chords. Most of all, don't forget these are patterns of sound, not 'finger patterns'. Always listen to what you are playing. Music isn't about how many geometric shapes your fingers can zip through at 200 bpm. Find music on the fretboard!
You might check out my bass lessons and music theory lessons (even if you're not a bass player!). I'm adding more lessons all the time.
Bass scales in tab, notation and movable scale diagrams. A complete reference for bass guitarists of all styles and abilities.
Use these scales in your basslines, songwriting, riffs and improvisation.
Page Index
Continue scrolling to see all the scales, or use the links below to jump to the part of the page you need.
Want to learn more bass scales, plus arpeggios and chords? Check out our downloadable reference book: Bass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios.
Practice playing and improvising with bass scales with our specially-produced bass backing tracks: Bass Scales Backing Tracks & Bass Modes Backing Tracks.
Introduction to Bass Scales
Having a good knowledge of bass scales will help you to come up with better bass lines and solos. Practicing bass scales is also one of the best ways to improve the speed and fluency of your playing. Because of this, scales should be an essential part of every bassist’s practice routine.
On this page you’ll find a selection of some of the most commonly-used scales for bass guitar. Use them in your basslines, solos, songwriting, practice and warm-ups.
If you find this page useful then please link to it and spread the word; it really helps us!
Bass Scales TAB & Fretboard Diagrams
For each scale on this page you’ll find:
- Information on the scale
- Bass TAB for playing a 1-octave scale with a tonic note of E in open position.
- A movable bass pattern for playing the scale with any tonic note. Play up from the 1st green note in the diagram to the 2nd for a 1-octave scale.
- Bass TAB for playing a 1-octave scale with a tonic note of A using the pattern provided.
You can find out how to read bass TAB on this page: How To Read Bass TAB.
You can find out more about movable scale patterns on this page: Guitar Scale Patterns.
Pentatonic Minor Bass Scale
Information
The pentatonic minor is one of the most commonly-used scales in rock and pop music. Use it to compose riffs and bass lines and also to improvise bass solos.
Further information on playing the pentatonic minor scale on bass (including additional TABs and patterns) can be found on this page:Pentatonic Scale Bass TAB & Patterns.
E Pentatonic Minor Bass Tab – Open Position
The bass TAB below shows an E pentatonic minor scale:
Pentatonic Minor Bass Scale Pattern
You can also learn this scale with a scale pattern. Below is a bass scale pattern for the pentatonic minor scale:
A Pentatonic Minor Scale TAB
Position the above pattern at the 5th fret in order to play an A pentatonic minor scale, as shown in the TAB below:
The basic pentatonic pattern can be moved up and down the bass neck in order to play the pentatonic scale with any tonic note. For example, you could position the pattern at the 3rd fret for a G pentatonic minor scale.
Complete guide to playing pentatonic scales on bass guitar:Pentatonic Scale Bass
Pentatonic Major Bass Scale
Information
The pentatonic major bass scale is a five note scale that produces a clear, open sound. It is suitable for use in major chord sequences and for improvising over major chords. Compare its sound to that of the minor pentatonic scale.
E Pentatonic Major Bass TAB – Open Position
Pentatonic Major Bass Scale Pattern
Use the scale pattern below to play the major pentatonic scale in multiple keys:
A Pentatonic Major Scale
Bass Guitar Chords And Scales Pdf Online
Play the bass pattern shown above in 4th position (i.e. with your index finger ready to play notes at the 4th fret) in order to play an A pentatonic major scale, as shown in the TAB below.
(Play the first note with the 2nd (middle) finger of your fretting hand, so that your 1st (index) finger is ready to play the notes at the 4th fret.)
Blues Bass Scales
Information
The blues scale, as its name suggests, is often used in blues music. It is also widely used in rock, jazz and pop music.
The blues scale is basically a minor pentatonic scale with an added note; the diminished (flattened) 5th. This note is known as the ‘blues’ note. Learn where the blues note falls in the scale and accentuate it for maximum effect.
(If you’re not sure which note the diminished 5th is, simply compare the blues scale with the pentatonic minor scale shown above; the extra note in the blues scale is the blues note.)
Further information on playing the blues scale on bass (including additional TABs and patterns) can be found on this page:Blues Scale Bass TAB & Patterns.
Below is the blues scale with a root note of E
E Blues Scale Bass TAB
Blues Scale Pattern for Bass
Use the pattern below to play blues scales all over the fretboard:
A Blues Scale TAB
Play the above pattern at the 5th fret for an A blues scale, as shown in the TAB below:
Complete guide to playing blues scales on bass guitar:Blues Scale Bass
Major Scale
Information
The major scale is one of the first bass scales you should learn. Knowing the intervals between the notes of a major scale is important in understanding all other scales.
Once you know the sound of the major scale and the scale patterns needed to play it in all keys, learn how it can be changed in order to make other bass scales.
Further information on playing the major scale on bass (including additional TABs and patterns) can be found on this page:Major Scale Bass TAB & Patterns
E Major Scale Bass TAB
Major Scale Bass Pattern
A Major Scale TAB
Use the scale pattern above to play the major scale with any root note. For example, if you want to play an A major scale, play the pattern with your fretting hand at the 4th position, so that the 2nd (middle) finger plays the first A note at the 5th fret:
Bass Guitar Scales And Chords
Complete guide to playing major scales on bass guitar:Major Scale Bass
Our popular Bass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios book is now available as a pdf eBook. Download your copy today–visit this page for details: Bass Scales Book.
![Scales Scales](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/07/11/84/071184f2a951272d066b66feb68cc1ce--guitar-scales-tablature.jpg)
Natural Minor Bass Scale
Information
The natural minor scale sounds good with many minor chord sequences. It uses the same notes as the major scale with a root note a minor 3rd (3 frets) higher. For example, an A natural minor scale uses the same notes as a C major scale, and an E natural minor scale uses the same notes as a G major scale.
The natural minor scale is the same scale as the Aeolian modal scale, so by learning it you get two scales for the price of one!
E Natural Minor Scale Bass TAB
Natural Minor Scale Bass Pattern
A Natural Minor Bass TAB
Use the natural minor scale pattern to play the scale with any tonic note. In the TAB below, the above pattern is used to play an A natural minor scale at the 5th fret.
Harmonic Minor Scale
Information
The harmonic minor scale is one of several minor scales. It is most often heard in classical music (in general, the natural minor scale is used more frequently in rock / pop music), but you’ll often hear it in metal, too.
If you compare the harmonic minor scale to the natural minor scale, you’ll notice that only the 7th note is different.
Harmonic Minor Scale Bass Pattern
A Harmonic Minor Scale Bass TAB
The above pattern can be used to play the harmonic minor scale with any tonic note. In the TAB below the pattern is being used to play an A harmonic minor scale:
Dorian Mode Bass Scales
Information
The Dorian modal scale has a folky sound, and is the basis for many folk melodies – one of the best-known of which being ‘Scarborough Fair’.
The Dorian scale is also one of the most widely-used modal scales, and sounds good against minor seventh chords with the same root note.
E Dorian Scale Bass TAB
Dorian Scale Bass Pattern
Use the pattern below to play the Dorian modal scale with any root note.
A Dorian TAB
Using the pattern above at the 5th fret results in an A Dorian scale, as shown below:
Mixolydian Bass Scales
Information
The Mixolydian scale is a modal scale that is commonly used over dominant 7th (7) chords. This is because it contains the minor 7th interval, which is also present in the dominant 7th chords. Try playing (for example) an E Mixolydian scale over an E7 chord to hear this effect.
The Mixolydian scale is also the basis for many folk melodies. Janome memory craft 6000 instructions.
E Mixolydian Bass TAB
Mixolydian Bass Scale Pattern
Use the scale pattern below to play the mixolydian scale with any tonic note by moving it up and down the fretboard.
A Mixolydian TAB
Use the pattern above to play an A mixolydian scale on your bass by starting the scale at the 5th fret, as shown in the TAB below:
Phrygian Dominant Bass Scales
Information
This is a very atmospheric scale with a distinctive Eastern sound. It can be used to great effect in metal bass lines and solos.
E Phrygian Dominant Bass TAB
Phrygian Dominant Bass Pattern
Use the bass scale pattern below to play the Phrygian domainant scale with different tonic notes.
A Phrygian Dominant Scale Bass TAB
The above pattern could be played at the 5th fret for an A Phrygian dominant scale, as shown in the TAB below:
Chromatic Scale
Information
This bass scale can be used to create interesting effects and lines. It is also very good for developing left-right hand coordination and as a pre-gig warm up.
1 Octave Chromatic Scale Starting On E Bass TAB
Chromatic Scale Bass Pattern
There are several approaches to playing chromatic scale on the bass guitar. In the pattern below, the 4th finger of the fretting hand plays two notes on each string.
1 Octave Chromatic Scale Starting On A
The pattern above can be used at the 5th fret to play a 1-octave chromatic scale with a starting note of A. This is shown on the following TAB:
Master Your Bass Guitar With Guitar Command
- Get your copy of our awesome bass guitar reference book: Bass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios.
- Learn how to play chords on your bass: visit our bass chords page.
- Check out our bass backing tracks albums. Find out more (and play along with sample tracks) here: Bass Guitar Backing Tracks.
How To Use Bass Scale Diagrams
All of the bass scales on this page are shown both in TAB and as movable (transposable) scale pattern diagrams.
Instead of learning the individual notes of each scale (as shown in the TABs), many bass guitarists learn scales in the form of ‘patterns’ or ‘shapes’. These patterns represent the physical positions in which the fingers are placed on the fretboard in order to play the scale.
Essentially, a scale pattern is a graphical representation of a standard bass guitar fretboard. The tonic notes of each scale (i.e. the ‘C’ notes of a C major scale, or the ‘E’ notes in a E Dorian scale) are represented by green circles in the diagrams. All of the other notes in the scale are shown as black circles.
The tonic notes shown in the diagram should be positioned over the relevant notes on your bass guitar’s fretboard in order to play the scale with the desired tonic note.
For example, if you want to play a G minor pentatonic scale, then position the pentatonic minor scale pattern at the 3rd fret (so that the green circles on the diagram correspond to G notes on your fretboard).
By learning the scales as patterns you’ll be able to play the scales with any tonic note simply by moving the patterns up and down the bass neck and playing them at the desired position.
Note: on this page each scale is represented by a single pattern. There is more than one way of playing the same scale, and each scale can be represented by multiple patterns. Bassists often learn multiple patterns for the same scale to avoid having to play the scale in an uncomfortable positions on the fretboard.
Got any questions? Ask them in the comment section below and we’ll be happy to help!
Further Reading
- Want this (and more) information at your fingertips? Check out our printable Bass Scales, Chords & Arpeggios Book. The book also features multiple diagrams per scale. You can see sample pages, and download the book, here: Bass Scales Book.
- Learn to play chords on your bass guitar: visit our Bass Chords page.