Bass Lesson 4 - Using Octaves

Octaves in music means notes that are the same but 8 notes apart. This could be 8 notes higher in pitch or 8 notes lower in pitch.

On the keyboard diagram below we see the first note which starts on C and after playing up to the next C they are 8 notes apart.

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This applies to any musical note.

So where do we find these Octaves on the bass?

Let’s start with the note A.

  1. The note A can be on the 3rd open string.

    An octave higher can be played on the 2nd fret 1st (G) string.

    The A on the 5th fret E (4th) string is the same note as the A open string.

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Exercise 1

In this exercise we will be practising moving from the A open string to the A on the G string , second fret.

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Bass Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Another option is playing open string A and then on the 12th fret on the same string is the next A an octave apart. By changing to this type of hand position frees up your LH to be able to move around the fretboard of the bass.

Open string.png
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Bass Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Starting on fret 5 on the E string (4th) and then to the 7th Fret on the D String is a common hand position in playing octaves. Use your first finger on Fret 5 and then your 5th (pinky) finger for fret 7.

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Bass Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Here is a riff that combines the A octave and G octaves together using quavers and is also a great exercise in strengthening your hand.

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Bass Exercise 4

Remember every note has an octave. You can move your hand position up and down the fret board and across strings to be able to find all the combinations.