Learn Pentatonic Positions in 7 Days
One scale to rule them all.
Late beginner bassists
If you’re feeling stuck in your fretboard and want to learn how to move freely across the neck, this is the class for you.
7 days
Nick will guide you through 7 days of step-by-step instruction with daily practice plans and assessments.
Fretboard freedom
By the end of this challenge, you’ll be able to visualize your entire fretboard and play pentatonic basslines in any key.
Take the next step
Once you've mastered this challenge, keep learning with more challenges and guided Learning Pathways.
What you'll learn
Each day, Nick Cisneros shows you how to internalize a new position of the pentatonic scale, note by note. You'll leave this challenge with a strong mental map of your fretboard that'll set you up to improvise and write your own basslines.
- Move freely across the neck
- Break out of box-shape playing
- Turn scale shapes into real music
- Visualize the pentatonic scale everywhere
Curriculum
Stay focused with this step-by-step learning program designed by our expert team of music educators.
Your guided Challenge
In this 7-day Challenge, Nick will help you improve your fretboard knowledge through mapping out the five positions of the pentatonic scale across the entire neck. Each day includes engaging exercises and a jam so you can apply each concept in real time right away.
Pentatonic review
Kick off the class by learning the theory behind this valuable scale and how it relates to the major scale.
This overview of the pentatonic scale will help you start off the on right foot as you build out your pentatonic foundation in the rest of the class.
Position 1: G major pentatonic
Start with the root-note position and learn some helpful techniques for playing smoothly and with more speed.
After drilling through the scale, you’ll apply it musically by learning a bassline.
Positions 2 and 3
Keep that fretboard exploration going and learn how starting a bassline on a note other than the root can unlock some tasty sounds.
You’ll also work on strengthening your note-recognition skills as you get higher up on the neck.
Positions 4 and 5
As you ascend the fretboard, you’ll work on improving your muscle memory for these new shapes. You’ll also learn how to apply these higher notes in different musical situations, including solos and the bridge of a song.
We'll finish off the lessons with some different pentatonic exercises to add to your daily practice routine.
Performances
To tie a bow on the class, you'll learn songs that directly incorporate the techniques and scale positions you worked on. You'll get interactive TAB and a backing track for each song so you can dial it in with Nick and on your own.
Day 1. Pentatonic review
Start mapping out the pentatonic scale on the E string. These are your starting points for each position of the scale, so it’s essential to visualize where they are along the string.
Whether you’re brand new to bass or a seasoned bassist, it’s never a bad idea to review the pentatonic scale and understand how it relates to the major scale.
To set you up for success, Nick walks you through mapping out the scale along the E string so you know exactly where each position starts. Plus, you’ll start training your ears to internalize the sound of the pentatonic scale.
Day 2. Position 1: G major pentatonic
Take your first steps toward fretboard mastery with the root-position pentatonic scale and tips for smoother playing.
Gaining easy access to all of the notes within the pentatonic scale is essential for creating confident basslines. That’s where the positions of the pentatonic scale come in handy.
You’re learning how to play every note without shifting your hand up and down the fretboard. Nick will also share some technique tips for playing faster lines in position.
Days 3-4. Positions 2 and 3
In these lessons, we’ll continue unwrapping the gifts of the pentatonic scale. You may not be as familiar with the notes this high up the fretboard, so you’ll also work on note recognition. Never a bad thing!
Day 3. Position 2 from the 2nd
Sometimes, you want to start your bassline on a note other than the root note. Well, this position gives you access to different paths to reach the root note on the D string by starting on other notes of the scale.
Day 4. Position 3 from the 3rd
Time to dust off those upper frets. Since this part of the neck might be new to you, you’ll focus on saying the note names out loud as you memorize the shape itself. End the day by learning a fast-paced groove in position and jamming with Nick.
Days 5-7. Positions 4 and 5
In these final lessons, you’ll complete your pentatonic journey and continue applying your new knowledge with musical grooves. Playing this high up the fretboard means that your basslines will really cut through the mix.
Day 5. Position 4 from the 5th
This shape includes a nice number of notes below and above the root note. It’s always good to have that flexibility when you’re writing your own basslines.
Because the frets are closer together, you have the option to play each fret with each finger. Combined with hammer-ons, you can really pick up the speed here.
Day 6. Position 5 from the 6th
Final position! This position just happens to also be position 1 of the minor scale. It’s also very finger-friendly, making improvising a bit easier. You’ll learn a lazy funk-rock groove to end the lesson.
Day 7. All positions
You’ve officially covered the entire fretboard. Now, it’s time to go the extra mile and drill these positions daily until you know them like the back of your hand. Fortunately, Nick’s got some fun and musical suggestions for exercises to add to your daily practice routine.
Performances
Now that you’ve unlocked the fretboard, you’ll apply your new skills and knowledge to two original performance pieces. One is a country-rock song that will have you travelin’ that long and winding road of the pentatonic scale. Then, you’ll lay things back with a chill reggae tune in positions 3, 4, and 5.
FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS ASKED
If you don’t get better, we’ll give you your money back
We’re so confident that Pickup Music can help you make progress that we’re underwriting your membership with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
What’s in every Pickup Music membership?
Try free for 14 days
1,000+ Lessons
All skill levels
Interactive TAB
Track your progress
Daily practice plans
Live lessons every week
Limitless learning.
All-inclusive access to every course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a different question? Message us in the chat pop-up.
⚡️ Getting started
Is Pickup Music right for me?
Are you a bass player who feels like you haven’t made progress in a few months… years… or even decades?
You’re probably stuck in what’s called the ‘intermediate plateau’. This is very common and can be very frustrating.
What’s the cause? Well, it’s pretty easy to learn the basics on bass.
But what then? Triads? Modes? Arpeggios? The phrygian scale?!
Without a clear plan and learning system you fall back to playing the same old lines over and over again. Or you bounce around free lessons online but nothing seems to stick. It’s a recipe for a lot of practice without much progress.
That’s where Pickup Music can help. We specialize in taking players stuck in a bass rut and turning them into advanced bassists.
We do this through Learning Pathways that take you on a step-by-step journey towards fretboard mastery. We give you a highly structured system that shows you exactly what to work on each week to make serious progress.
These Learning Pathways take the guesswork out of your practice routine. You are guided through a proven grade-by-grade system with daily lessons, play-along practice exercises and interactive workouts.
But it’s not all about theory. We apply everything you learn to real music. That’s why every grade of our Learning Pathways build up to performing a song with a live backing band. This simulates what it’s like to play a real gig, with real musicians. It’s the absolute best way to learn.
You also get 1:1 video feedback on your playing from our expert instructors and can attend weekly live lessons. This personal feedback makes Pickup Music the closest thing to taking in-person lessons, but at a fraction of the cost.
So does this method actually work? Will you see results in your playing?
The most common thing we hear from new members is that they’ve made more progress with Pickup Music in a few months than in years of teaching themselves. As one member recently told us, “I'm finally seeing progress for the first time in many years”.
Want to hear about other members’ experiences with us? Read our independent Trustpilot reviews.
Is Pickup Music worth the money?
Private bass lessons will cost you at least $50 per lesson or $2,600 a year.
Going to a music academy will cost you about $40,000 a year.
A Pickup Music membership will cost you just $180 for the whole year.
That works out to 50 cents a day!
But it’s not just about the money. It’s about not wasting your precious time. It’s about making actual progress on this beautiful instrument.
By following our proven Learning Pathway system, you can stop wasting your time and effort trying to guess what you should practice next. Our guided programs eliminate the guesswork so you know exactly what you need to focus on each day and week to make lasting progress with bass.
What makes Pickup Music better than other bass lesson sites?
Most online bass lesson sites are very good at teaching one-off styles and techniques. Or they get super famous bassists to record one-hour video lessons talking at length about their particular style and career.
The problem is that these approaches don't stick. They don’t help you to actually get better as a bassist. You can waste a lot of time bouncing around these types of unconnected, one-off lessons. It’s a recipe for a lot of practice without much progress.
Pickup Music takes a different approach. We give you a highly structured system that shows you exactly what to work on each week to make serious progress. We take you beyond the basics through a step-by-step journey towards fretboard mastery.
By following a Pickup Music Learning Pathway, you are getting the most guided way to learn bass. Over 6 grades, you are taken through daily lessons and practice exercises that carefully explain what’s going on behind the music.
Each grade then builds up to song performances that apply everything you’ve learned with a live backing band. These challenges - where we simulate what it’s like to play a real gig, with real musicians - is the absolute best way to learn.
The Learning Pathway method takes the guesswork out of your practice routine. Most bassists start to see a rapid acceleration in their progress in a matter of weeks.
You can also get 1:1 video feedback on your playing and weekly live lessons. This personal feedback makes Pickup Music the closest thing to taking in-person lessons, but at a fraction of the cost.
Want to hear about other members’ experiences with us? Read our independent Trustpilot reviews.
What exactly do I get from a Pickup Music membership?
When you become a Pickup Music member you get unlimited access to our huge library of lessons across both guitar and bass.
You get to enjoy amazing features that create a premium learning experience:
- day-by-day lessons
- 1:1 video feedback on your playing
- weekly live lessons
- progress tracking
- interactive TAB
- multiple HD camera angles
- play-along practice exercises
- downloadable course notes and diagrams
- quizzes to test your understanding
- jam tracks with the Pickup Music Live Band
- exclusive members-only forum, contests and giveaways.
How do the Learning Pathways work?
Learning Pathways are kind of our special sauce here at Pickup Music. They take all the guesswork out of what to practice.
You get day-by-day lessons, play along practice exercises with your instructor, interactive jams with the Pickup Music live band and you can submit videos of your playing for feedback from the Pickup Music team.
We designed this system so that you will know exactly what to practice every time you pick up the bass. This means that even if you only have time to practice with us once a week, you will still make great progress by following a Learning Pathways.
How often do I need to practice to see results?
Ideally you would practice about three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. But we know that life gets in the way sometimes! So here’s the good news: deliberate practice matters so much more than how often you practice.
After working with thousands of bassists, we’ve found that the most important thing is to know exactly what you’re going to practice before you pick up the bass. Even if you can only use Pickup Music a few times a month, you will still make really good progress if you stick to the step-by-step structure of our Learning Pathways.
Can I take the lessons at my own pace?
Everything on Pickup Music is designed to be taken at your own pace. There are no deadlines, so you can work at your own speed. You can stay on a topic until you really understand it before you move on.
While we divide our Learning Pathways into ‘days’ - this is a suggestion only. Some learners might take a few days in one sitting, while others will spend a few sessions on a single day. You can go at the pace that feels most comfortable to you.
How does the 1:1 video feedback work?
We want our members to get the closest thing possible to in-person lessons but at a fraction of the cost. That's why you can now get individual video feedback on your bass playing from our team of expert instructors.
Here's how it works:
- Choose a performance piece to learn at the end of each grade of a Learning Pathway.
- Upload a video of yourself playing the performance piece.
- An expert instructor from our team will review your playing and send you back a detailed video on what you're doing well and what you need to work on.
- Repeat for each grade of the Learning Pathway.
I'm brand new to bass. Is Pickup Music the right choice for me?
Absolutely! We make learning the bass fun and simple – the way it should be.
Too many people get frustrated with bass because they develop bad habits and poor technique. Avoid these costly and time-consuming mistakes by taking Pickup Music's structured and step-by-step approach to learning bass.
You'll start with Pickup Music's introductory program Beginner Learning Pathway. Over a few weeks, we break down everything from simple chords and melodies to rhythm and lead playing. By the end of the program, you'll be able to play any simple pop or rock song (and even write your own).
Most importantly, we make sure you don't get stuck in the beginner's plateau - a common pitfall for bassists who are just starting out. You'll keep making progress through Pickup Music's guided Learning Pathways. These programs are designed to quickly take you from a beginner player to an intermediate one who feels comfortable across the whole fretboard.
Is Pickup Music good for intermediate and advanced bassists?
Pickup Music is the best platform available for intermediate and advanced bassists. Our courses take you beyond the basics to advanced concepts like triads, arpeggios, modes and improvisation.
The biggest trap for intermediate players is bouncing around from lesson to lesson without a plan or structure to get to that next level. We are known for taking intermediate and advanced players who have hit a ceiling and busting through until they reach the next level.
Am I too old for bass lessons?
Many of Pickup Music’s members are in their 60s and 70s and have seen amazing success with our programs. Our platform is designed to be user-friendly for all ages and skill levels. And our supportive community is made up of bass learners of all ages, cheering each other on.
Do I get access to the guitar lessons as well?
Yes. You get unlimited access to all of our guitar and bass lessons under the one membership.
💳 Pricing and plans
How does the 14-day free trial work?
When you first sign up to a Pickup Music membership, you enter your credit card but it will not be charged for 14 days. That means that if you decide to cancel within 14 days of signing up, you won't pay anything.
And we send you a reminder before your trial is about to end so you don’t forget about it.
If you decide to cancel after that, you won't be charged at your next billing cycle. That means: if you’re a monthly member, you won’t be charged for the next month. If you’re an annual member, you won’t be charged for the next year.
How does the 60-day money back guarantee work?
In addition to the 14-day free trial, we offer a 60-day money back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your progress in the first 60 days of your membership, we will give you your money back - no questions asked.
Please note: The 60-day money-back guarantee does not apply to app purchases made via Apple.
Is it easy to cancel?
Canceling is easy. It’s just one click of a button on your account page.
You won't be charged anything if you cancel during your 14-day free trial. We also send you a reminder before your trial ends so you don’t accidentally forget about it.
If you cancel after your 14-day trial, you won't be billed again at your next billing cycle. Your membership will remain active until it expires on the day it was originally set to renew.
What’s the difference between the annual and monthly plan?
The only difference is the price. The monthly membership is $29.99 charged monthly and the annual membership is $179.99 charged once a year.
That means that if you select the annual plan you will pay 50% less and save $180 over a year compared to the monthly plan.
We'll also send you reminders before we bill you each year so that you don't accidentally forget about it.
We give such a big discount for annual members because it aligns with our long-term vision to inspire and support lifelong bass learning.
Can I buy lessons individually?
We don’t sell lessons individually. But the good news is you get access to every single lesson on Pickup Music through the one membership. If you’re only interested in one lesson, you could purchase a monthly membership and cancel when you’ve finished it – we have a hunch you’ll want to stick around though :)
How do I restart my membership?
It’s easy to rejoin Pickup Music and we’d be thrilled to have you back! We even saved all of your lessons for you while you were gone on your My Classes page.
To restart your membership, log in with the email address you used to sign up the first time around and then select the plan of your choice.
