Octave Method for Low B : 5-String Bass
Major Scales & Arpeggios
![]() eBook :Octave Method for Low B : 5-String Bass Fretboard navigation method for 5-string bass |
![]() Paperbook Book :Octave Method for Five String Bass Fretboard navigation method for 5-string bass |
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC)
C major arpeggio (3nps) : General
In BLOGoZON No.522 the box shapes for the C major arpeggio were presented
using the CAGFD octaves methodology for 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC).
In this BLOGoZON we take a look at the C major arpeggio , but with 3nps shapes and join them all together for 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC) to form one long CAGFD octaves chain.
The CAGFD octaves sequence is shown for C natural in the diagram that follows.
GuitarPro8 fingerboard : C natural octaves

The diagram that follows shows all seven of the CAGED octaves shapes for use with
the three notes per string patterns for a 5-string bass (Drop A - AEADG).
The diagrams that follow show all of the C major arpeggio notes plotted over the
5-string bass' fretboard in the CAGFD octaves and GuitarPro8 styles.
GuitarPro8 fingerboard : C major arpeggio

As always a more long term solution to fretboard navigation is to see scales as INTERVAL shapes
rather than note names - as these are universal to all scales, arpeggios and chords rather than
specific to one particular root note - with this in mind the intervals for the
C major arpeggio are detailed below in the CAGFD octaves manner.
The tables and tabbed panels below detail all five box shapes for the
C major arpeggio in the
CAGFD octaves style.
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC)
C major arpeggio (3nps) : box shapes pdf
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC)
C major arpeggio (3nps) : YouTube videos
- 4C1
- 4A2
- 4A2G*
- 2G*
- 5F3F*
- 5D3D1
- 5D3D1C
- 4C1 at 12
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC) |
- 4C1
- 4A2
- 4A2G*
- 2G*
- 5F3F*
- 5D3D1
- 5D3D1C
- 4C1 at 12
Once the individual box shapes have been assimilated all seven shapes should be linked together and played in one continuous exercise (with the first shape - 6C4C1 - being repeated at the 12th fret). |
The complete GuitarPro8 TAB for the previous exercise follows:-
The box shapes for the previous exercise follows:-
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC)
C major arpeggio (3nps)
Box shapes pdf & GuitarPro6 TAB pdf
CAGED octaves : 5-string bass (Drop D + High C - DADGC)
C major arpeggio (3nps)
Overall fretboard box shapes
The Power Of Love....Zon Brookes |