Bass Lesson: Feeling Tense About Tensions?
 Cart Cart| My Account | Help | About Us 
Questions? Visit our Help Desk
Free Shipping on most orders over $199
Search Products

in
  • Share This Bass Lesson

Feeling Tense About Tensions?

by Chris Tarry

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3

Now, let’s try this exercise.

Put the tensions on top of the arpeggio. Remember, the tensions have to stay on top of the arpeggio, so this will mean that you will have to invert the tension to get this exercise to work.

CMaj 7 (9, #11, 13)
Root position - 1 (C), 3(E), 5(G), 7(B), 9(D), #11(F#), 13(A)
1st Inversion - 3, 5, 7, 1, 9, #11, 13
2nd Inversion - 5, 7, 1, 3, (invert the tensions here ) #11, 13, 9
3rd Inversion - 7, 1, 3, 5, (invert the tensions here) 13, 9, #11

Notice that the 9, #11, 13 of Cmaj7 create a Dmaj triad up a whole step from the root (C).

This is consistent with every major seventh chord. This little bit of knowledge can be taken a long way. Forinstance, every time you see a major seventh chord just think up a whole step from the root and play a major triad and you have automatically grabbed all the tensions available on that chord. Look at other tensions on the other chord qualities and see what kind of triads they create!

On a minor 7th chord the tensions are 9,11, and 13. Give the chord a root, (let’s say D) and you have an E minor triad above D. E, G, and B.

Now, do this with all chord qualities I listed on page one in all keys and with all available tensions.

Have fun!
Below is Cmaj7 arpeggios with tensions above.


Play the Musical Example Below

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3

Related Bass Lessons


 
Get Our Newsletter
Our latest products & specials:
Music Articles
Best Sellers
Bass Transcription Books
  1. SR Vaughan Blues Bass Tab
    $19.95
  2. Beatles - Complete Scores
    $79.99
  3. Chicago: Transcribed Scores
    $24.95
  4. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
    $19.95
Bass Instruction Books
  1. Blues Bass Complete Method
    $19.95
  2. Play Bass Today! Pack
    $19.95
  3. Praise & Worship Set
    $19.95
  4. 101 Bass Tips
    $16.95
Bass Gear
  1. Behringer Ultrabass BT108 15W Bass Amp
    $69.99
  2. Hohner B2AV-WS Headless Bass Guitar -Walnut Satin, LEFT-HANDED VERSION
    $779.00
  3. Boss RC-20XL Loop Station Phrase Recorder
    $249.00
  4. Squier Bass Guitar Starter Pack - Black
    $299.99
Bass Videos & DVDs
  1. Slap Bass - DVD
    $19.95
  2. Beginning Funk Bass DVD
    $14.95
  3. Flea - Bass Video
    $19.95
  4. Beginner Bass Video
    $9.95
Bass Software
  1. Guitar Pro 5.1 Guitar Tab Software (Win/Mac)
    $49.00
  2. Digital Music Mentor Guitar Notation Software
    $49.99
  3. SlowGold - Slow down any tune
    $49.95
  4. Learn To Play Bass (CD-ROM)
    $9.95
On-Line Lessons
Bass Lessons
James Jamerson 16th Notes
Approach Tones & Walking
Home · Brands A-Z · Guitar · Bass · Drums · Folk · Keyboards · Recording & Pro Audio · Software · DJ Equipment · World · Artists A-Z · Sheet Music · Music Instruction · Videos · Band & Orchestra · Lighting · Theater · Live Sound · Gifts · Affiliates
Shopping Cart · My Account · Help Desk · Site Map · About Us · How to Order · Safe Shopping · Testimonials · Privacy Statement · Terms of Use

Product/stock inquiries or questions about existing orders: ActiveMusician Help Desk, or contact us by e-mail or call us at 1-888-731-0111, 9:30AM-7:00PM EST
Phone Orders: 1-888-731-0111 toll-free, 24/7. Orders only. US customers only.

© 2000-2009 ActiveMusician.com. All Rights Reserved.