In this lesson, you’ll learn how to combine diminished runs with pentatonic scales to create tension and resolution in your bass lines. We’ll explore how to use diminished shapes to transition smoothly into the pentatonic positions of D minor and its relative major, F major.

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Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction:

Diminished runs are a powerful tool for adding chromatic tension. In this lesson, we’ll focus on:

• Diminished chords: A♭, B, D and F diminished.
• Pentatonic scales: The first position of D minor pentatonic and F major pentatonic.

Both scales share the same notes but start on different roots:

• D minor pentatonic: D – F – G – A – C.
• F major pentatonic: F – G – A – C – D.

2. Diminished Runs and Resolutions:

Diminished chords consist of stacked minor thirds, creating a tension-filled sound. These runs resolve beautifully into the pentatonic scales by highlighting their shared or neighboring tones.

Diminished Run to Pentatonic Resolutions:

1. A♭ diminished → First position of D minor pentatonic.
2. B diminished → F major pentatonic.
3. D diminished → First position of D minor pentatonic.
4. F diminished → F major pentatonic.

3. Step by Step Breakdown:

Step 1: A♭ Diminished → D Minor Pentatonic (First Position)

• A♭ diminished run: Start with A♭ on the 4th fret of the E string. Play a series of minor thirds: A♭ – B – D – F.
• Resolve: Transition into the first position of D minor pentatonic (focus on Dmin but resolve on the 5th fret of the E string).

Step 2: B Diminished → F Major Pentatonic

• B diminished run: Start with B on the 7th fret of the E string. Play: B – D – F – A♭.
• Resolve: Move into F major pentatonic, focusing on the F root and resolving on the 8th fret of the E string.

Step 3: D Diminished → D Minor Pentatonic (First Position)

• D diminished run: Begin with D on the 10th fret of the E string. Play: D – F – A♭ – B.
• Resolve: Drop into the first position of D minor pentatonic, landing on D on the 10th fret of the E string.

Step 4: F Diminished → F Major Pentatonic

• F diminished run: Start with F on the 13th fret of the E string. Play: F – A♭ – B – D.
• Resolve: End in F major pentatonic, starting with A on the 14th fret of the G string.

4. Practice Tips:

• Slow It Down: Start practicing each diminished run slowly to ensure clean transitions into the pentatonic scales.
• Focus on Resolution: Pay attention to the sound of the diminished runs resolving into the smooth pentatonic scales.
• Use a backing track: Maintain steady timing as you practice, gradually increasing speed.

5. Application:

• Play the diminished runs over a simple D minor backing track.
• Experiment with improvising using these runs and resolutions. Create your own lines using diminished tension and pentatonic resolution.

By combining diminished runs with pentatonic scales, you can add tension and release to your bass playing, making your lines more dynamic and interesting. This technique is versatile and can be applied to various musical genres.

Transcription | Exercise