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Hi. It's Geoff, from DiscoverDoubleBass.com. We're continuing on with our
series of beginner lessons, looking at one octave-major scales. If you like
the backing tracks that we use in this lesson, they're available for free
at discoverdoublebass.com. Today we're going to be looking at G-flat-major
and B-major.
Let's have a look at the finger that we're going to use for G-flat-major.
First finger is on the note G-flat, and we find that by open string, first
note, which is the F, and then we just shift a semi-tone higher. If we were
to play with our second finger in this position, we'd get the open G. I'm
happy that that's in tune. If I've got a good hand shape, there's a good
chance that my first finger will be on G-flat correctly. Let's play the G-
flat. The second note of the scale is A-flat, with the little finger. I'm
trying to use my fingertips as much as possible, and it might help you to
push your arm up slightly in the air to get the curve of the hands a little
stronger. It's also worth bearing in mind that my thumb is slightly further
around the neck.
Then we shift back a semi-tone and we have B-flat. We immediately shift
again to the note B, then the note D-flat with our little finger, shift
back again for E-flat. Shift again for F, and finally, we have G-flat with
our little finger. This is a hard scale to play because of the amount of
shifting. When we descend, I always prefer to play the note, shift, and
then play the next note. In this instance, I'm going to return by playing G-
flat and then shift immediately to the F, and then the E-flat. Then we have
the D-flat with our little finger, then I'm going to shift and play the
note C-flat, which is the same as B, with our second finger. First finger
on B-flat, and then I'm just going to shift across a semi-tone to reach the
A-flat with our little finger, and then my first finger is on the note G-
flat. Let's try putting that all together, and we'll play it along with the
backing track.
We've got all the shifts that you have to play here. Shifting across, shift
again. Continuing on with B-major, it uses exactly the same fingering,
which is why I grouped these two together. Just to remind you, I tend to
practice these using the cycle of fifths. But just for teaching them, it's
more convenient to put them into the two groups that I have done. Let's
look at how we play the notes.
Again, we can find the note B by taking a reference point from half
position, the B-flat, and just shifting up a semi-tone. If we were to
reference with our second finger, we'll check against the G, and that feels
like it's in tune to me, which means that my first finger should be on a B,
if I've got a good hand shape. Let's have a listen how this sounds: B-
natural, C-sharp, and we're going to have to shift across here to D-sharp,
shifting straightaway to E like we did in the last scale. F-sharp with our
little finger, and shifting back, G-sharp, and then shifting again to A-
sharp, and there's the B. If you'd like to reference the B, let's check
you're in tune . . . you can reference it against the open E and you'll
have a perfect fifth, which hopefully you'll be able to here if there's any
friction between those two notes. Let's descend. I like to play the B and
immediately shift to the A-sharp and the G-sharp. Then we shift across, F-
sharp, shift again to the E, D-sharp, shift again to the C-sharp, and
finally, you've got the note B-natural.
Thanks for watching the lesson today. I hope you've enjoyed it. If you'd
like more free video lessons, you can visit DiscoverDoubleBass.com where
you can also download the free backing tracks. Keep practicing the scales.
I'll see you in the next lesson.