EBS Lesson Eight Introducing root and fifth
EBS Lesson Eight Introducing root and fifth
It is important to know the names of the notes you are playing. This was easier for the octave shape because both notes had the same name. In a root and fifth shape though there are two different notes.
Using the musical alphabet, it is easy to count up from the root to the fifth. Let me explain with the help of the following table.
Look at the table below. If we start with the bass note of A and take A as ‘one’, then count to ‘five’, you get E. If you follow the logic through you get to your octave.
Figure 1. Understanding the concept of a 5th above
| A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# | A |
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | Octave |
Therefore, from your starting note, you can use the fifth (5th) shape on the bass guitar to find your fifth. If you then apply the naming concept in our table above, you will also be able to name the fifth.
