Download Free Printable Fretboard Road Maps for Bass Guitar: A Beginner's Guide
Fretboard Road Maps Bass Guitar Pdf Free: A Guide for Beginners
If you are a beginner bass player who wants to learn how to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard, you might be interested in fretboard road maps. Fretboard road maps are diagrams that show you how to play different musical elements on the bass guitar in any key. They are a great way to learn the notes on the fretboard, improve your technique and expand your musical vocabulary. In this article, we will explain what fretboard road maps are, how to use them, and where to find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources.
Fretboard Road Maps Bass Guitar Pdf Free
What are fretboard road maps and why are they useful?
Fretboard road maps are diagrams that show you how to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the bass guitar
A fretboard road map is a schematic picture of the bass guitar's fretboard, as it appears when you look down at it while playing. It shows you where to place your fingers on the strings and frets to play different musical elements such as chords, scales and arpeggios. For example, here is a fretboard road map for the C major scale:
G----R--2--3-----R--2--3- D----5--6--7-----5--6--7- A----3--4--R-----3--4--R- E----7--8--9-----7--8--9-
In this diagram, R stands for the root note of the scale (C), 2 stands for the second degree of the scale (D), 3 stands for the third degree of the scale (E), and so on. The numbers also indicate which fingers to use: 1 for index finger, 2 for middle finger, 3 for ring finger, and 4 for pinky finger. The diagram also shows you how to play the same scale in different positions on the fretboard by repeating the pattern.
Fretboard road maps help you learn the notes on the fretboard, improve your technique and expand your musical vocabulary
Fretboard road maps have many benefits for bass players of all levels. Here are some of the reasons why you should use them:
They help you learn the notes on the fretboard by showing you where they are and how they relate to each other. This will make it easier for you to play in any key and style, and to communicate with other musicians.
They help you improve your technique by showing you the most efficient and comfortable way to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the bass guitar. This will make your playing smoother, faster and more accurate.
They help you expand your musical vocabulary by showing you how to play different musical elements on the bass guitar. This will make your playing more versatile, creative and expressive.
How to use fretboard road maps for bass guitar
Choose a key and a scale to work on
The first step to use fretboard road maps is to choose a key and a scale to work on. A key is a group of notes that sound good together, and a scale is a sequence of notes that belong to a key. For example, the C major key consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B, and the C major scale is the same sequence of notes played in order. There are many different keys and scales in music, but some of the most common ones are major, minor, pentatonic and blues. You can choose any key and scale you want, but it is a good idea to start with the ones that are most used in the songs you like or want to play.
Find the root notes on the fretboard using octaves and fifths
The next step is to find the root notes of the key and scale you chose on the fretboard. The root note is the note that gives the name to the key and scale, and it is usually the first note you play. For example, if you chose the C major key and scale, the root note is C. To find the root notes on the fretboard, you can use two simple tricks: octaves and fifths. An octave is the same note played 12 frets higher or lower on the same string. A fifth is another note that is 7 frets higher or lower on the next string. For example, here are some ways to find C on the fretboard using octaves and fifths:
G------------------------ D-------------C---------- A-C---------------------- E----------C--C--------C-
As you can see, you can find C on any string by moving 12 frets up or down from another C. You can also find C on any string by moving 7 frets up or down from a G (the fifth of C) on the next string. By using these tricks, you can quickly locate any root note on the fretboard.
Learn the patterns and shapes for the chords, scales and arpeggios in that key
The third step is to learn the patterns and shapes for the chords, scales and arpeggios in that key. A chord is a group of notes that sound good together when played at the same time. An arpeggio is a chord played one note at a time. For example, a C major chord consists of the notes C, E and G, and a C major arpeggio is the same sequence of notes played in order. There are many different types of chords and arpeggios in music, but some of the most common ones are major, minor, dominant and diminished. To learn how to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the bass guitar, you can use fretboard road maps that show you where to place your fingers on the strings and frets. For example, here are some fretboard road maps for the C major chord and arpeggio:
G-R--2--3--R--2--3- D-5--6--7--5--6--7- A-3--4--R--3--4--R- E-7--8--9--7--8--9- G----R--2-----R--2- D----5--6-----5- Practice playing along with backing tracks or songs in that key
The final step is to practice playing along with backing tracks or songs in that key. Backing tracks are recordings of music without the bass part, so you can play your own bass lines over them. Songs are recordings of music with the bass part, so you can learn from them or improvise your own variations. Playing along with backing tracks or songs is a fun and effective way to apply what you learned from the fretboard road maps and improve your timing, groove and creativity. You can find many free bass backing tracks online in different genres and keys, or you can use apps and software that let you create your own backing tracks. You can also find many songs in different genres and keys that use the chords, scales and arpeggios you learned from the fretboard road maps. For example, here are some sources for bass backing tracks and songs in C major:
Epic Groove Bass Backing Track - A Minor by Quist on YouTube
Best Rock Minor Bass Backing Tracks by GuitarToneMaster.com
Bass Backing Tracks playlist by Quist on YouTube
Hey Jude by The Beatles
Let It Be by The Beatles
Stand By Me by Ben E. King
Where to find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources
Online sources such as websites, blogs and YouTube videos
One of the easiest ways to find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources is to search online. There are many websites, blogs and YouTube videos that offer free fretboard road maps for bass guitar in different keys, scales and chords. Some of them also offer explanations, tips and exercises to help you use them effectively. For example, here are some online sources for fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources:
Guitar Fretboard / Bass Fretboard by FATpick
Free Printable Guitar PDFs by Guitar Gear Finder
Fretboard Roadmaps - Sokolow PDF by Scribd
Books and courses such as Fretboard Roadmaps by Fred Sokolow
Another way to find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources is to buy or borrow books and courses that teach you how to use them. There are many books and courses that offer fretboard road maps for bass guitar in different keys, scales and chords. Some of them also offer audio and video examples, exercises and songs to help you practice and improve your skills. For example, here are some books and courses for fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources:
Fretboard Roadmaps - Bass: The Essential Patterns That All the Pros Know and Use by Fred Sokolow
Bass Fretboard Workbook: Essential Music Principles and Concepts for Fretboard Mastery by Chad Johnson
The Complete Guide to Playing Blues Guitar: Book One - Rhythm Guitar (Play Blues Guitar 1) by Joseph Alexander
Apps and software such as FATpick, Guitar Pro and Ultimate Guitar
A third way to find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources is to use apps and software that let you create your own. There are many apps and software that let you create your own fretboard road maps for bass guitar in any key, scale and chord. Some of them also let you play along with backing tracks, songs, metronome and tuner to help you practice and improve your skills. For example, here are some apps and software for fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources:
FATpick - a tab player that listens as you play along with any song
Guitar Pro - a multitrack editor of guitar and bass tablature and musical scores
Ultimate Guitar - a website that offers guitar tabs, chords, lyrics and lessons
Conclusion
Fretboard road maps are a great way to learn bass guitar and improve your skills. They show you how to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the bass guitar in any key. They help you learn the notes on the fretboard, improve your technique and expand your musical vocabulary. They are easy to use and can be found online or offline. To use fretboard road maps for bass guitar, you need to choose a key and a scale to work on, find the root notes on the fretboard using octaves and fifths, learn the patterns and shapes for the chords, scales and arpeggios in that key, and practice playing along with backing tracks or songs in that key. By following these steps, you will be able to play bass guitar with confidence and creativity.
FAQs
Q: What is a fretboard road map?
A: A fretboard road map is a diagram that shows you how to play chords, scales and arpeggios on the bass guitar in any key.
Q: Why are fretboard road maps useful?
A: Fretboard road maps are useful because they help you learn the notes on the fretboard, improve your technique and expand your musical vocabulary.
Q: How do I use fretboard road maps for bass guitar?
A: To use fretboard road maps for bass guitar, you need to choose a key and a scale to work on, find the root notes on the fretboard using octaves and fifths, learn the patterns and shapes for the chords, scales and arpeggios in that key, and practice playing along with backing tracks or songs in that key.
Q: Where can I find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources?
A: You can find fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources online, such as websites, blogs and YouTube videos, offline, such as books and courses, or by using apps and software that let you create your own.
Q: What are some examples of fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources?
A: Some examples of fretboard road maps bass guitar pdf free resources are Guitar Fretboard / Bass Fretboard by FATpick, Free Printable Guitar PDFs by Guitar Gear Finder, Fretboard Roadmaps - Sokolow PDF by Scribd, Fretboard Roadmaps - Bass by Fred Sokolow, Bass Fretboard Workbook by Chad Johnson, The Complete Guide to Playing Blues Guitar by Joseph Alexander, FATpick app, Guitar Pro software and Ultimate Guitar website.
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