Free Online Bass Lessons
B Major Pentatonic Exercise: Rocking Motion & Skipping Thirds
We’re breaking down one of the most versatile pentatonic exercises you can play on bass — and it’s straight out of the Stevie Wonder playbook 🎶
In this lesson, we’ll:
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Build speed and accuracy using the B Major Pentatonic scale
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Learn how to rock between notes efficiently with one finger
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Understand how to skip intervals (like 3rds) for smoother phrasing
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Hear how these ideas show up in tunes like “Do I Do” and “Sir Duke”
🎸 Let’s groove smarter, not harder.
🧩 Homework Assignments
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Rocking Motion Drill
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Practice the 3rd-finger rocking motion between any 2 stacked notes slowly with a metronome (60 BPM → 90 BPM).
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Skip-Third Pattern Exercise
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Play the B Major Pentatonic up and down skipping one note each time.
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Song Application
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Apply this same motion inside “Sir Duke” or “Do I Do” bass lines to internalize the phrasing.
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Tone Check
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Record yourself and listen for clarity; make sure no notes buzz and are come out clean
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