How to Play a 1 4 5 Bass Progression
Know what a 1-4-5 Progression Is., Play a Basic Rhythm., Jazz It Up., Add The Sixth Note and Major Seventh Note., Rock On.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know what a 1-4-5 Progression Is.
The numbers in 1-4-5 refer to the corresponding notes/chords in a musical scale.
For example:
C D E F G A B C (C major scale) = 12345678 (C is designated as "1" because it is the first note of the scale.) Using this information, you can determine that in the C Major scale a 1-4-5 progression would translate to C-F-G.
So for a 1-4-5 in C Major, the chords that you'll be playing under will be C Major, F Major, and G Major. , The simplest way to play under a 1-4-5 is to play one note on the first beat of the measure that sustains for the entire measure: |:
C
-
-
- | F
-
-
- | G
-
-
- | C
-
-
- :| This simple rhythm can be expanded upon in a few ways: |:
C C C C | F F F F | G G G G| C C C C :| (or) |:
C C
-
- | F F
-
- | G G
-
-| C C
-
- :|, Adding a few extra notes into the mix makes the beat more lively and establishes a groove.
An easy way to do this is to play this: |:
C E G C | F A C F | G B D G| C E G C :| (All you are doing here is playing the first, third and fifth notes of the scale of the chord that you are playing under.
If that sounds a little complicated, just play the notes and it will sound good regardless.), This gives the progression a more bluesy feel.
This will generally require you to play under each chord for two or more measures, so only do it if that's what the song requires. |:
C E G A|Bb A G E|F A C D |Eb D C A|G B D E | F E D B | C E G A |Bb A G E :|, Play with other musicians to increase your proficiency with your new found skill.
Also, a jazzed up 1-4-5 sounds pretty cool if you're playing alone or if you're warming up while waiting for the guitarist to quit jacking around with his pedal board(s). -
Step 2: Play a Basic Rhythm.
-
Step 3: Jazz It Up.
-
Step 4: Add The Sixth Note and Major Seventh Note.
-
Step 5: Rock On.
Detailed Guide
The numbers in 1-4-5 refer to the corresponding notes/chords in a musical scale.
For example:
C D E F G A B C (C major scale) = 12345678 (C is designated as "1" because it is the first note of the scale.) Using this information, you can determine that in the C Major scale a 1-4-5 progression would translate to C-F-G.
So for a 1-4-5 in C Major, the chords that you'll be playing under will be C Major, F Major, and G Major. , The simplest way to play under a 1-4-5 is to play one note on the first beat of the measure that sustains for the entire measure: |:
C
-
-
- | F
-
-
- | G
-
-
- | C
-
-
- :| This simple rhythm can be expanded upon in a few ways: |:
C C C C | F F F F | G G G G| C C C C :| (or) |:
C C
-
- | F F
-
- | G G
-
-| C C
-
- :|, Adding a few extra notes into the mix makes the beat more lively and establishes a groove.
An easy way to do this is to play this: |:
C E G C | F A C F | G B D G| C E G C :| (All you are doing here is playing the first, third and fifth notes of the scale of the chord that you are playing under.
If that sounds a little complicated, just play the notes and it will sound good regardless.), This gives the progression a more bluesy feel.
This will generally require you to play under each chord for two or more measures, so only do it if that's what the song requires. |:
C E G A|Bb A G E|F A C D |Eb D C A|G B D E | F E D B | C E G A |Bb A G E :|, Play with other musicians to increase your proficiency with your new found skill.
Also, a jazzed up 1-4-5 sounds pretty cool if you're playing alone or if you're warming up while waiting for the guitarist to quit jacking around with his pedal board(s).
About the Author
Amy Knight
Writer and educator with a focus on practical organization knowledge.
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