The "Cheater Scale" — From Totally USELESS to a Killer Music Maker
KYLETEACHESBASS
15,773 views
You already know the major scale fingering pattern. But if all you're doing is playing it up and down... it's pretty useless. In this video, I'm going to show you how to take that familiar shape — what I call the "Cheater Scale" — and turn it into actual melodies, fills, and bass lines using the concept of diatonic playing.
We're working in the key of F major with a backing track, and I'll walk you through a step-by-step exercise that builds from playing the scale out of order, to hitting root notes and improvising between chord changes, to playing a full bass solo — all from one pattern you already have under your fingers.
This lesson is for beginners and advanced players alike. If you've ever felt like scales were pointless, this is the video that changes that.
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - The Major Scale Pattern You Already Know
1:28 - What is "Diatonic"?
3:05 - Why It's Called the "Cheater Scale"
3:59 - Step 1: Mix the Notes Up (Don't Play in Order)
5:33 - Playing Over a Backing Track (Key of F)
9:07 - Step 2: Root Notes + Improvising Between Changes
13:16 - Step 3: Open Up Your Root Note Playing
16:46 - Step 4: Play a Bass Solo (Hear Me Out)
19:51 - Why Melody Matters for Bass Players
LINKS & RESOURCES:
I've been buying gear from Sweetwater for 20 years, and I'm proud to announce that KYLETEACHESBASS is now a Sweetwater affiliate. If you click through the links below and purchase any gear, I get a small kickback at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win -- you get great gear and great service (shout out to my sales rep Delvin Wolfe), and you help support the channel and this community. I'm so stoked that Sweetwater sees something in what we're building here.
KTB X Sweetwater Creator Page:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k4a2vd
Sweetwater GIVEAWAY:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/1GDQ3d
Sweetwater DEALZONE:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/VOb3W3
KTB Private Lessons:
http://www.kyleteachesbass.com
The Creative Bass Course:
https://www.kyleteachesbass.com/cours...
20 Comments
He really has a great teaching style that meshes. He gives a solid path from simple scales to actually grooving on your own with your own ideas. Thanks Kyle!
And have never looked back. You have been a great help! Again Thank you so much. This is one the best exercise's I've ever seen. A+
The "Cheater Scale" — From Totally USELESS to a Killer Music Maker
KYLETEACHESBASS
15,773 views
You already know the major scale fingering pattern. But if all you're doing is playing it up and down... it's pretty useless. In this video, I'm going to show you how to take that familiar shape — what I call the "Cheater Scale" — and turn it into actual melodies, fills, and bass lines using the concept of diatonic playing.
We're working in the key of F major with a backing track, and I'll walk you through a step-by-step exercise that builds from playing the scale out of order, to hitting root notes and improvising between chord changes, to playing a full bass solo — all from one pattern you already have under your fingers.
This lesson is for beginners and advanced players alike. If you've ever felt like scales were pointless, this is the video that changes that.
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - The Major Scale Pattern You Already Know
1:28 - What is "Diatonic"?
3:05 - Why It's Called the "Cheater Scale"
3:59 - Step 1: Mix the Notes Up (Don't Play in Order)
5:33 - Playing Over a Backing Track (Key of F)
9:07 - Step 2: Root Notes + Improvising Between Changes
13:16 - Step 3: Open Up Your Root Note Playing
16:46 - Step 4: Play a Bass Solo (Hear Me Out)
19:51 - Why Melody Matters for Bass Players
LINKS & RESOURCES:
I've been buying gear from Sweetwater for 20 years, and I'm proud to announce that KYLETEACHESBASS is now a Sweetwater affiliate. If you click through the links below and purchase any gear, I get a small kickback at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win -- you get great gear and great service (shout out to my sales rep Delvin Wolfe), and you help support the channel and this community. I'm so stoked that Sweetwater sees something in what we're building here.
KTB X Sweetwater Creator Page:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k4a2vd
Sweetwater GIVEAWAY:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/1GDQ3d
Sweetwater DEALZONE:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/VOb3W3
KTB Private Lessons:
http://www.kyleteachesbass.com
The Creative Bass Course:
https://www.kyleteachesbass.com/cours...
KTB X Sweetwater Creator Page: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k4a2vd
The Creative Bass Course: https://www.kyleteachesbass.com/courses/the-creative-bass