Minor Triads: Moving Beyond Bass Shapes

Are you an intermediate bass player who knows those familiar bass guitar shapes and patterns, but now feels stuck in your playing? It’s time to take your skills to the next level by exploring the world of minor triads. In this lesson, I’ll specifically explore C Minor Triads, but keep in mind that the methodology we discuss applies to all triads, arpeggios, and scales exercises.

Why C Minor Triads?

C Minor Triads are incredibly versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as Cm6, Cm7, Cm9, and Cm11. They serve as a fantastic starting point to learn how to break away from shape based playing and truly understanding the bass guitar scales and fretboard.

Moving Beyond Shapes

While mastering bass guitar shapes is an essential first step, it’s crucial to move beyond them. We’ve all been there, practicing shapes diligently, but there comes a point where you need to challenge yourself to grow as a bass player.

From the Lowest Note to the Top Fret

To truly excel, you should be comfortable playing from the lowest note on your bass to the highest fret, effortlessly moving around the fretboard without overthinking it. This level of mastery allows you to play when you want, with any fingering you prefer.

Practical Tips

Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:

Explore All Inversions: Don’t limit yourself to just one shape. Work with all possible inversions of the triad. Seeing the available notes across the fretboard is key to creating your own unique phrases.
Experiment with Combinations: Try out different combinations, positions, and fingerings. Don’t be afraid to break down and rearrange what you learn. Over time, this experimentation will lead to creating your patterns and finding what feels most comfortable for you.
Think Beyond the Basics: Challenge yourself to think beyond basic shapes and patterns. The goal is to have the entire fretboard at your fingertips, giving you the freedom to create music on the fly.

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Don’t let yourself get trapped in the confines of shapes. It’s time to break free and become a versatile, confident bass player. Start your journey today!