Octave Method for 6-String Bass (Low B)
Major Scales & Arpeggios
![]() eBook :Octave Method for Six String Bass Fretboard navigation method for 6-string bass |
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BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode) : General
In this BLOGoZON we take a look at the C major scale (ionian mode) for
7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF) forming one long BCAGEFD octaves chain.
The BCAGEFD octaves sequence is shown for C natural in the diagram that follows.
GuitarPro8 fingerboard : C natural octaves

The diagram that follows shows all five of the BCAGEFD octaves shapes for use with the
box shapes for a 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF).
The diagrams that follow show all of the C major scale (ionian mode) notes plotted over the
7-string bass's fretboard in the BCAGEFD octaves and GuitarPro8 styles.
GuitarPro8 fingerboard : C major scale (ionian mode)

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 scale (ionian mode) are detailed below in the BCAGEFD octaves manner.
The tables and tabbed panels below detail all five box shapes for the
C major scale (ionian mode) in the
BCAGEFD octaves style.
BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode) : YouTube videos & pdf files
BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode) : Box shapes on YouTube
- 7B5C2 (incomplete)
- 7B5C2 (modified fingering)
- 5A3
- 6G3G1
- 6E4F1
- 7D4D2
- 7B5C2 at 12
BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode) : Box shapes & TAB
- 7B5C2 (incomplete)
- 7B5C2 (modified fingering)
- 5A3
- 6G3G1
- 6E4F1
- 7D4D2
- 7B5C2 at 12
Once the individual box shapes have been assimilated all five shapes should be linked together and played in one continuous exercise (with the first shape - 7B5C2 - being repeated at the 12th fret). |
The complete TAB for the previous exercise follows:-
The box shapes for the previous exercise follow:-
BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode)
Box shapes pdf & GuitarPro8 TAB pdf
BCAGEFD octaves : 7-string bass (B0 standard - BEADGCF)
C major scale (ionian mode) : Overall fretboard box shapes
Beat It....Zon Brookes |