The Circle of 5ths + ZONES = The SECRET to Fretboard MASTERY

Fretboard exercises can be found all over the internet and in almost any bass learning methodology book. Sometimes it's scales, sometimes it's specific patterns and almost in all instances they can definitely be useful.
Today, however, we want to talk about how you can break your fingerboard down into segments - or zones - to allow for a more focused learning experience. We'll cover the basic first step to getting these zones under your fingers, and then how to up-level from there so every single part of the fretboard will feel accessible and 'known' to you, no matter what key you're in.

Major Triads:
C = C | E | G
F = F | A | C
Bb = Bb | D | F
Eb = Eb | G | Bb
Ab = Ab | C | Eb
Db = Db | F | Ab
Gb = Gb | Bb | Db
B = B | D# | F#
E = E | G# | B
A = A | C# | E
D = D | F# | A
G = G | B | D

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Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction
00:35 - What are fretboard zones and why should you use them?
01:47 - Mapping out the 3 fretboard zones
04:23 - The first step to mastering each zone
04:58 - Going a level deeper
05:48 - Applying the Circle of 5ths to Zone 1 using major triads
08:56 - Applying the same principle to Zone 2
09:55 - Applying it all to Zone 3
11:07 - Expanding the concept to all triads - Understanding that every triad has 3 shapes
12:26 - Why you want to be able to play all shapes for all triads
15:28 - In conclusion

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[joemills]

1st let's just acknowledge what a beaut that F bass is! 2nd let's just thank Scott for all this great, high quality free lessons!👍🏻👍🏻

[tomasboledovic]

Just bought my first bass and I have no idea about how to play that thing:) This is gonna help, thanks!!!

[amysscentsandsongs]

I have been going through your circle of fifths exercise every single day and suddenly the fretboard has become a friend rather than a foe.
I am working on the score for a musical that I am playing with the community theater this summer, so the music is all over the fretboard.
Because I wanted the warmest sound possible for some of the songs. I have been working up in zone 8 through 12 quite a bit.
After that, zone 1 through 5 is also comfortable but to me sounds more percussive, which is great for certain other songs. And yes this zone is called upon regularly for those lovely deep roots.
And then we have zone 5 through 9 which I need in almost all the songs, kind of the workhorse zone.
Although I play piano, I couldn't read guitar/bass music 3 months ago. Your fretboard exercise was the breakthrough I needed.

[scottthefunk]

YOU ARE HELPING ME AFTER PUTTING THE BASS DOWN FOR 25 YRS

[rationalmuscle]

Best bass teacher on the Internet - period. Scott, your stuff is so freakin' good mate.

[fearsomemumbler]

I've been playing bass for 20 years now, and watching your videos has made me realise I really know bugger all about theory. I never had any lessons, started as a teenager when my mate needed a bass player and I thought go on then and have winged it ever since. You can still be a decent player after 20 years of winging it as you stumble across things and develop an ear from listening to others, but what I didn't know was why I was playing what I was playing and how it could be related to other things. Watching your videos has started to fill those gaps.

[thebasspapa]

Scott, now with my 60 years ... I must restart my life from the beginning with you as my teacher. Promise, I will be a much better bassplayer. Thanks for your work

[docjunior]

Randomly landed here looking for some circle of fifth routines for the bass guitar. This is by far the best lesson I've come across on YouTube. The fretboard positions and the triads make a lot of sense. Thank you. Working on major triads will look out for the accelerator in 2024. Cheers!

[danilobernaschina]

You're the best online Teacher with your tips & tricks on YouTube. Greetings from Switzerland. Your passion is coming out of the videos

[USMC]

I have been an intermediate guitar player for years. I caught a bass bug a while back, and got my first one a couple weeks ago. It's so fun! Now I'm learning theory from you I just couldn't force myself to learn on guitar. Thanks for this!

[rebeccazappenforeyt]

My bass teacher started me (after the notes of each string) in the 5-9 zone. Learning that first made the other 2 zones just fall into place. It definitely made a difference that I could already read music and play the piano and saxophone. The other thing he made me do from lesson one is use my pinky. The first few months were painful but I’m so grateful!

[thomaswalker]

Absolutely spot on. This is the real secret behind your fretboard dexterity. Great 👍

[qtipg]

That was really good! It really helped me to visualize the necessity of learning the circle of fifths and the role it plays in fretboard mastery.

[HuscleShoals]

This is a great way to learn any stringed instrument, especially if you play in different tunings or banjo, steel, etc. Thanks for a wonderful lesson!

[willarddickerson]

Thanks, Scott. I appreciate all of your knowledge that you share.

[bobbrendel]

This is exercising parts of my brain I didn't know I had. Can't thank you enough for the content.

[KittyGangsta]

At last! After years of searching for the right video! I find you here with the bassists.

[brandonmason]

This is perfect for where I am right now in my career. I’ve been playing a long time but I’m limited by having some blank spots in my knowledge of the fretboard. I know the notes but not like the back of my hand. I haven’t found a good system for really internalizing it all so I can apply it in the moment. I think this might be that system!

[elsf]

Thanks to all the metal I've learned in my life, I have always been more comfortable in frets 5-9😋

[Pagani]

Im glad the lessons are still going on❤❤❤