BillyHunt

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of helpful stuff here.

Thanks, Yes I'm currently learning a load of new songs for a band, first time I've played for 5 years or more. Last time I was gigging, before life intruded, I would know 40 or 50 songs at any given time but without really understanding what I was playing. I understood basic scales and stuff, but not all the different note positions on the neck or the relationships between scales and keys etc. I was also able to improvise to a certain extent and write lines for original songs but I always felt limited. I can listen to certain players, Stevie Wonder's guy for instance, or Jamerson or Bob Babbit, and be knocked out by what they're playing and how they thought of it in the first place.I guess knowing the fretboard is the first step.

I think that’s enough to be going on with 🤓

So I'm returning to the bass after a few years of not picking it up due to not enough time, children etc. I want to start from scratch rather than falling into the same bad habits and practice patterns as before so I'm starting by learning scales properly. I'm currently on major scales, but what should I concentrate on? Major, Minor, Dorian, Mixolydian? What are the most commonly used? I would also like to be able to read. I understand the notation from playing the Flute and Violin as a child but I can't sight read on Bass. Any advice much appreciated.