Below are the most common scales used on the bass. They are shown in diagram form. They are played from the lowest note to the highest note. The letter name of the scale is determined by the fret it originates on. The circled note is the tonic, or letter name of the scale. For example, moving the scale to a position where the circled note is on the 3rd fret, would make it a "G" scale, 4th fret a "G#" or "Ab" scale, 5th fret an "A" scale, 6th fret an "A#" or "Bb" scale, etc. The scale below it begins on the 3rd string and the names of the scales correspond to the notes on that string. If you are not confident with the names of the notes on the bass, print out the fingerboard chart on the bass fingerboard page.