For information about private lessons and questions, please visit me at Demetri4.com.
Blog #23
I am introducing the "E" shape chord and the notes on the D string.
Objectives:
Learn the natural notes on the D string.
Learn to build the "E" shape chord.
Recognize that the note on the D string is the "E" shape's chord name.
To understand the bass guitar, start with the names of the open strings.
Open string: Open is the full length of the string.
Open string names: The strings, starting closest to your knees (1) and moving to your chin (4), are numbered --G-1, D-2, A-3, and E-4. To remember the names of your open strings, use the acronym --get (1)-dizzy (2)-at (3)-Easter (4).
The next challenge is to learn the natural notes on the fretboard --A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
For example:
The string closest to your knee is "G." When we push against the 2nd fret, the string becomes shorter and produces the higher note, A.
The second string open is "D." When we push against the 2nd fret, we get the note E.
Check this blog's end for a fretboard (fret) definition.
Today, we will be concentrating on the second string - D.
The second string open is "D."
Looking at the Circle:
We start by adding the correct note name to each number on the "E" shape circle.
The numbers inside the Circle are the frets on your bass guitar.
There's a blank dot at the top of the Circle.
On the Circle, the note names repeat when moving past the blank dot.
For example, the D string's 2nd fret (dot #2) is E. Continuing clockwise around the Circle past the blank dot to dot #2 (14th fret), we get the note E again. These two E's are Octave.
Octave: the distance between one note (like E) and the next note bearing its same name (the next E that's either higher or lower).
The Octave is important because fret #12 and the open string (#0) have the same note name. So use #12/0 to recognize the blank dot on your Circle.
Write the note names on the "E" shape page in your workbook:
First, begin by placing the letter "D" (second string open) above the blank dot at the top of the Circle. Next, add the number "12/0" under the same dot. Now, beginning with D at the #12/0 fret, move clockwise two dots and
Great job!
Check this blog's end for a brief introduction to chord shapes and an explanation of the letter dots (natural notes) and blank dots (chromatic notes). However, we will concentrate on only the natural notes today.
Now, begin to play.
The numbering of the fingers we use to fret the notes are:
The 1st finger is the pointer.
The 2nd finger is the middle.
The 3rd finger is the ring.
The 4th finger is the pinky.
1. Playing a single note.
Being careful to play the correct fret, place the third finger on the "D" string's 3rd fret. Then, with the other hand, pick only the D string -say and play F. Move your third finger to the
5th fret - G
7th fret - A
9th fret - B
10th fret - C
12th fret - D
14th fret - E
finally, on the 15th fret -say and play F
We begin playing here because the "E" shape chord's name is on the third string.
Using the Circle as a guide, play the notes ascending and descending as comfortably on the fretboard as possible. You may only be able to reach the 10th fret on your bass guitar, and that's ok. Great job!
Give yourself enough time to gain command before moving to the next exercise.
2. Playing two notes (power chord).
We can move further into the "E" shape chord by adding the first (G) string to our exercise.
3rd finger is on the D string's 3rd fret.
1st finger is on the G string's 2nd fret.
Start by playing the D string and then the G -say and play F (2nd string), then A (1st string). Focusing on the third finger and keeping both fingers two frets apart, move your third finger to the
5th fret - G, B
7th fret - A, C#
9th fret - B, D
10th fret - C, E
12th fret - D, F#
14th fret - E, G#
finally, on the 15th fret -say and play F and then A
Remember, you may only be able to go to the 10th fret. Great Job!
3. Playing three notes (power chord).
We can move further into the "E" shape chord by adding the third (A) string to our exercise.
1st finger is on the G string's 2nd fret.
3rd finger is on the D string's 3rd fret.
2nd finger is on the A string's 3rd fret.
Pick only those three strings one at a time -say and play C (3rd string), F (2nd string), and A (1st string). Focusing on the third finger and keeping the other fingers on their relative frets, move the third finger to the
5th fret - D, G, B
7th fret - E, A, C#
9th fret - F#, B, D
10th fret - G, C, E
12th fret - A, D, F#
14th fret - B, E, G#
finally, on the 15th fret -say and play C, F, and then A
Great Job!
Demetri
There is much more to learn about the "E" shape chord (bass)
Next, Blog #23: The "G" shape chord (bass).
For information about private lessons and questions, please visit me at Demetri4.com.
Demetri's notes:
Chord shapes give us the freedom to do various things on our instruments. For example, an open chord uses the nut to play open strings. A chord shape replaces the nut with the first finger. Using the first finger to retain the open chord shape gives us different chords as we move up the neck. These chords are impossible with open strings. Here's another example, we can play the same chord in different places on the neck by changing the chord shape. There are many other reasons to embrace chord shapes. I plan on dedicating an entire series to the subject.
Fretboard: The fretboard is on the neck of the guitar. The neck is the long skinny part sticking out from the guitar's body. The fretboard is where we place our fingers to find the other notes. We push our fingers against the frets (metal wires) embedded into the fretboard. Pushing against the fret, in turn, changes the length of the strings. Shortening the string makes the sound (pitch) move higher (towards the woman's voice range). As a note moves higher in pitch, it moves clockwise on The Circle through the musical alphabet.
The Natural Note Circle: The spacing on the "Natural Note Circle" is --C-D (2 dots) apart, D-E (2 dots), E-F (1 dot), F-G (2 dots), G-A (2 dots), A-B (2 dots), and B-C (1 dot).
Definitions:
Natural notes: are the seven dots with letter names on the Natural Note Circle in your workbook.
Altered notes: are the five blank dots on the Natural Note Circle. These altered notes are called chromatic.
Chromatic notes (blank dots): The Natural Note Circle is very helpful in visualizing the relationship of a natural note to its chromatic. A chromatic is a note altered by an accidental.
Accidental: is a symbol (sharp "#" or flat "b") that indicates the altered note is a 1/2 step higher or lower than its natural note.
Sharp (#): a sharp sign indicates the altered note 1/2 step higher.
Flat (b): a flat sign indicates the altered note 1/2 step lower.