Talking Technique: Optimize Your Octaves with a Killer Bass Riff

Here is a cool modern retro disco funk riff that will help you optimize your octaves. A cool slide in the middle inspires more ideas for creative explorations and technique shedding.

The transcription will help you out, but follow the step-by-step way to break it down and make it manageable. Practicing technique the groovy way!

Austrian-gone-Californian Ariane Cap is a bassist, educator, blogger and author. In her book Music Theory for the Bass Player and corresponding 20-week online course, she teaches music theory, bass technique, bass line creation and fretboard fitness in a systematic, practical and experiential way. She just released a brand new course on ear training for the bass player: Ear Confidence - 6 Paths to Fearless Ears. Contact her via her blog or website.

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  1. Herbie

    Hi Ariane, I hope you are well and free of Covid-19.
    This is a great excercise, thank you!
    I see, that you play the „neighboring“ octaves D, Db and G, Gb both starting with your Index Finger.
    Wouldn‘t you recommed to play those with middle and pinky and then index and ringfinger, by means of one-finger-per-fret positioning?
    Thank you!
    Herbert