Bass Exercises: Roots And Fifths

Roots And Fifths Exercises

Bass Exercise #1: Roots and 5ths on E-string

Once again, a good way to practice patterns is up and down each fret. In this exercise you play roots and 5ths from open E to Bb and back down. The fretboard diagrams show the first four patterns.

Bass Exercise #2: Roots and 5ths on A-string

This exercise moves the root 5th pattern up and down the frets of the A-string from open A to C# and back. Create your own exercises by changing the order of the notes.

Bass Exercise #3: Root and Fifth on E7-A7

Here is a simple rock bassline applying roots and fifths to the chords E7 and A7. Experiment and create your own variations.

Bass Exercise #4: Roots and 5ths on G-C-G-D

This bassline applies roots, 5ths and octaves to each chord. It may sound corny, but it is a very supportive and familiar sounding bassline. (The dots indicate to play the notes short or, staccato.)

Bass Exercise #5: Roots and 5ths on C-G-Am-F

In this bassline example roots and 5ths are applied to each chord. You can mix roots and 5ths in all sorts of rhythmic combinations. Experiment!

Bass Exercise #6: Polka Time!

This is the most recognizable root 5th bassline sound. Tubas play this a lot. You will hear it a lot in country, tejano, polkas and lots more. You could earn a living just playing this.