Introduction

The Spanish minor scale is a popular scale used in many genres of music, including flamenco, jazz, and rock. It has a distinct sound and feel that adds a unique flavor to any musical composition. In this article, we will be discussing how to play the Spanish minor scale on bass guitar along with easy-to-follow tabs and step-by-step instructions.

If you’re new to music theory, don’t worry! We will cover the basics to help you understand how this scale works and how to apply it in your playing.

Music Theory

The Spanish minor scale is a type of minor scale that has a raised 6th and 7th note. It is also known as the harmonic minor scale or the Aeolian #7 scale. The formula for this scale is:

1 – 2 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b6 – 7

This means that the Spanish minor scale is very similar to the natural minor scale, with the only difference being the raised 6th and 7th notes.

Here are the notes in the Spanish minor scale:

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
6. F
7. G#

It’s important to note that the 6th and 7th notes are raised by a half-step compared to the natural minor scale. This creates a unique sound that is often used in flamenco music.

Bass Tabs

Now that we understand the theory behind the Spanish minor scale, let’s take a look at how to play it on bass guitar. We will be using standard tablature notation for these tabs.

Tab 1 – A Spanish Minor Scale in Root Position

			G|---------------------------------2-4-5-7-5-4-2---------------------------------|
			D|---------------------------2-3-5---------------------5-3-2---------------------------|
			A|------------------2-3-5---------------------------------------5-3-2------------------|
			E|--------1-3-5-6-------------------------------------------------------6-5-3-1--------|
			

This tab shows the Spanish minor scale in root position, starting on the 5th fret of the E string. The numbers represent the frets you should play, with the lowest number being the root note of the scale.

Tab 2 – A Spanish Minor Scale in 2nd Position

			G|--------------------------------------------------------------------4-5-7-9-7-5-4--------|
			D|----------------------------------------------------------5-7-8-5-----------------8-7-5--|
			A|----------------------------------------------3-5-6-5-3-6------------------------------6-5--|
			E|--------1-3-5-6-5-3-1-3-5-6-5-3-1-3-5-6-5-3-1---------------------------------------------------|
			

This tab shows the Spanish minor scale in second position, starting on the 3rd fret of the A string. This position allows for easy movement up and down the fretboard while keeping the same fingering pattern.

Conclusion

The Spanish minor scale is a beautiful and unique scale that can add flavor and emotion to any musical composition. By following the diagrams and tabs provided in this article, you can learn how to play this scale on bass guitar with ease.

Remember to start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the scale. And don’t forget to incorporate the Spanish minor scale into your playing to add some variety and creativity to your music!