Day 23.

Play the modes of the A major scale and then the modes of the E major scale.

As you play each of the modes of these two scales, contrast each mode with its respective major scale by playing them back to back: play the major scale, play a mode; play the major scale, play another mode, etc . . . Backwards, etc. . . of course.

Work up a little speed but keep to a rhythm, any rhythm. Play around with several different rhythms. Maybe tap your foot if you like to do that. Try tapping both of your feet in patterns that a drummer would use. Have you been observing drummers at clubs or on videos?

You know, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy an extra video, a drum video.

Take some ideas from previous lessons (your choices) and use some of the techniques in the Appendix that you've learned and combine them with or blend them into your playing.

Try exploring the A natural minor scale modes. Play the A natural minor scale. Play the modes using the rules of sharping or flatting notes or the idea of creating the modes by starting on succeeding higher notes but still playing only the notes in the A natural minor scale. For example, ABCDEFGA, BCDEFGAB, CDEFGABC, DEFGABCD, etc. . .

Is the Phrygian mode, the 3rd mode, of A natural minor the same as the Aeolian mode, the 6th mode, of C major? A little musical puzzle.

Auditioning

So, if you've come this far and can actually understand all this stuff and have developed some playing skills and techniques described in the Appendix as 'Fingering Techniques', you are probably or are just about to be making some money playing. This makes you a Pro or will make you a Pro as soon as you get into a band. Start one with some friends. Or check local ads for people looking for a bass player. You'll need to audition with several groups. Of course you'll be nervous. Expect to be nervous. It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to or interview some people you know who are in bands about their first audition experiences. Maybe there's a book in the local library about it. If you can understand a little about this first time experience in advance it'll help you to put everything into perspective and enable you to cope with your nervousness better.

Once you start or find a group you'll need to rehearse with them of course. It's not a bad idea to rehearse with several different groups to determine everyone's goals (make sure that you all have the same goals!! I can't emphasize enough the importance of this) and also to loosen up yourself. See how things operate. Build some confidence. It's not hard. You've got new people to meet, places to go!

CONGRATULATIONS !!

End of day 23.