Master The 2-5-1 Progression On Bass: 3 'Must-Know' Methods

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You’ve probably played the 2-5-1 progression on bass before, even if you didn’t realize it.

And even if you haven’t, I can virtually guarantee that you’ve at least heard this progression before. It’s just about everywhere from classical music, to jazz, blues, country, hip-hop, pop, rock - even metal.

It’s one of the most common chord sequences in all of music, which makes it pretty important. That’s also why it makes sense to really know your way around the 2-5-1 progression on bass.

When you know how to approach it, you can:

Create bass lines effortlessly
Make your own perfect bass fill every time
Masterfully improvise a bass solo on the spot

There are tons of different ways to approach this progression, but in this video we’re going to focus on just 3. These are the ‘must-know’ approaches when it comes to playing the 2-5-1 on bass.

They range from simple, so a little more advanced, but it’s very simple to get started.

Like I say in the video, I’d really encourage you to go through ALL of the approaches and give them a try - even if they don’t immediately feel great under your fingers.

When you practice each approach and start getting your head around them, they’ll start coming out in your playing naturally. The more comfortable you are with each one, the more likely it will come out of your mind and onto your bass.

By the way, if Approach #2 was a bit cryptic for you, I totally understand. The modes can be a confusing beast, but you can fix that with my Ultimate Guide To The Modes For Bass. Inside it, you’ll get the jargon-free explanation for what the modes are, plus, how and where they work.

It comes with a couple of bite-sized videos plus a 16-page PDF guide with the tabs, notation and shapes for each mode. You’ll also get 24 practice tracks you can use to start mastering your modes today. By the way, it’s 100% free.

To get it, click here, fill out the form on that page and I’ll send it straight to your email address.

Once you’ve practiced each of the approaches for the 2-5-1 progression in isolation, try combining them! Just using one approach will get a little boring after a while, but mixing and matching them will mean your audience won’t ever get bored of your playing.

If you have any questions, just let me know! I’d be happy to help out.

Good luck with the lesson, and happy playing!

Cheers,

Luke

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OMG! By far the most complete and logical explanation for learning this. No confusing terms just straight up approach with examples. you cant believe how long it took me to have someone actually explain that each note should be played by its own scale. I was under the impression from all the other teachers to remain in the CMAJ7 the whole time. Great video Luke! Thank you.

mindful_gus

I've been studying harmony for 5 years privately and I gave up because I thought I was not good enough since I was not understanding relationships among chords and scales. In 5 years I was only able to harmonize the major scale, not even touching the modes. I was convinced my teacher was not showing me what really is behind the theory. I was learning all the scales, arpeggios and boring exercises of the major scales and never be able to create the magic. I ended up thinking that after 5y if I was still struggling with the major scale I would never be able to do beautiful music and I was totally disappointed. Also, at that time (+10y ago) I was striving to find on youtube someone capable to teach me the ropes trying to get out of the mud but I was not lucky. There was not the number of instructional videos that today we have. However, I never lost my passion for music even if I was an eternal newbie so the last year I bought a digital piano and started learning the basics. When you play an instrument wherewith a hand you play chords and the other you harmonize is much easier to understand the relationships. So I started looking back for tutorials on youtube about harmony and I found a ton of material. For a young musician, it could be disorienting. Luckily, I had a solid background on the major scale so I was looking for very specific topics. To make the long story short, I ended up buying a bass guitar too and getting back to the bones. Looking back, it has been a wise choice of learning the major scale for so long time. It is the most important scale to have in under the belt. Finally, today I'm able to find superb videos like this. This guy, in particular, is very clear, straightforward, methodic, without all the annoying bells and whistles. A lot of bass players in their videos explain half of this and then play an impossible line just to let you feel stupid, but this is not the case. I really appreciate it. We finally live in a time where it is definitely possible to self-educate online. Yes, it takes efforts to find the right one, but once you find it, a new world begins. Thank you!

lostpulsar

Hi Luke. I just want to echo what so many have said before. You are a great teacher. I'm an intermediate bass player with a lot of gigging experience. I'm always trying to level up with whatever info I can find. Your explanations and examples instantly make sense, where I have struggled with other better known instructors. I have played by ear for many years. Your videos have shed light on the underlying theory of what I've already been playing, as well as introducing me to new concepts. Very helpful!

jkrohmer

Your teaching is excellent! I have been on drums and guitar for so long I have forgotten much of my bass training 50 years ago and now my friends want me on bass and your vids are refreshing my memory of the instrument! I'm in my second year of remission from cancer treatments and chemo and radiation to the head and throat really do a number on the brain for recall. Thanx again a big help for the old guy here!

allenquartermane

You are so straight forward. No clowning around. No distractions. Thanks

gregorygrimes

Finally, a clear and simple explanation of soloing with modes and scales. Why didn't I find this a long time ago?

cwm

Can’t say enough about how I appreciate this one. Lights went on!

donmiller

stumbled on this channel and now improvisation makes much more sense

msafiri

Explanation as easy as it gets. Thanks Luke! Regards from Switzerland

luigirigattoni

WOW!! THAT GUITAR FUNK, R & B Rhythm is great, Great 251 in a up beat Funk R & B Rhythm

sls

This guy is amazing, he really explains the ideas. and theory behind what he’s trying to teach in plain English that’s easy to understand. Good job

dylanmmccarthy