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Bass Theory for Beginners – Part 2 – Number System/Triads
#BASSNATION I’m super excited to release my new Beginners Theory Course!! In this part 2 I start to explain how the number system works on bass and dig a little into triads with you as well. Check out this lesson and start your free trial today to get full unlimited access to all of the other lessons in this course!
19 thoughts on “Bass Theory for Beginners – Part 2 – Number System/Triads”
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Hey Daric as far as the fifth note of the scale/chord, I’ve seen people play it and teach it as a dominant. I’m confused, Is it wrong to play it as a dominant or is it just different? Any guidance is much appreciated!
Yes you’re absolutely correct. In this specific lesson I’m referring to the triad therefore in that state it remains to be major. Only when you add another extension on top of the 5th note it becomes a dominant chord.
Daric I’m having trouble with my finger placement when trying to play triads. Is there a simple way?
Hey Daric, it says they use roman numerals for naming Diatonic Chords. Upper case indicate indicate major chords and of lower for minor.
Absolutely correct 👌🏾
Hey Daric, I don’t mean to sound stupid or ask so many questions but does the number/triad system apply for all scales?
There’s never a stupid question! Yes depending on what scale your using the concept of the number system still applies 👍🏾
Daric! Awesome job explaining the triads and the number system. It’s great refreshing on on the fundamentals, but learned something new. Love the way you explained it compared to others. Thank you.
That’s so awesome, I try to inform everyone that learning the basics are always fundamental and sometimes you may discover new things! 😎
Hello Daric! I really enjoyed this lesson. I feel like I just found a cheat code lol. My question is how do I do this on a 5-string bass?
Thanks so much and that’s so awesome, you would approach this the same exact way on a five string, no difference
Mr.Bennett,
Could the finger placement for these chords be applied to other keys and their chords? Thank you.
Hey Martha! Absolutely, just as simple as moving them around the fretboard. There will be an addiction to this course added within the next few weeks that will discuss more in detail when using these in different keys
This might have been answered long ago. To the Roman Numeral question mentioned – and I might be totally wrong, so Daric Help! Correct me if I am and delete this to not lead your followers astray. To my understanding we use roman numerals because they’re “Different” and “Easy”. To explain, Roman Numerals are different than any numbering system, so when you see them you know that they are referring to Chord progression. And on that note, it makes writing and remembering the chord progression easier no matter what key you are in. For minor, or half steps, you would just use them as lower case roman numerals- ii vs II or vi vs VI. So, let’s say the bass line has you play the 1st note, the 4th note, and the 5th note in the key of C major or even in the key of G major (hope key is the right term). Using roman numerals, you know they’re talking about chord progression and you could write either of those keys simply as I – IV – V. Instead. It tells you first note, then fourth note, then 5th note vs remembering C – F – G for C major or G – C -D for both progressions. I use C and G major are the exact same fingering except the G scale starts on the lower string “E” (perks of playing bass). Daric! Is my essay acceptable or do I have to stay after class for detention or anything?
https://player.vimeo.com/video/501286259
WOOOHOOO! It’s Kai like Sky, so yeah that was right! My music theory is rusty as hell and I never learned Bass clef, let alone the things that are in guitar’s theory. So I come to these for my practice. Even so, I’m ecstatic!
Hello! In what way does learning triads benefit your playing ?
Hey Alondra, triads are the basis of all chord structures. They are the first three notes that construct every single chord that’s played in music. Triads can also be played separately to create tons of bass lines. They are the foundation of song structure.
Thank you so much!
I’ve been playing for almost a year & am new to this. I’m the bass player at my church & we are in a pioneering stage so I want to learn & grow as much as possible so I can one day teach others. Thank you for explaining.