Learn How to Play Octaves

 

An octave is basically two notes that are the same note just an octave apart. The tab below is an octave.

 G|-----------------|  
 D|----3---3---3----|  
 A|-----------------|  
 E|-1---1---1-------|    

•    The 1 is an F.
•    The 3 is an F.
When you hear them you will be able to tell that it is the same note just an octave apart. Octaves always go like this. Try fretting a note anywhere on the fretboard, now miss a string then move 2 frets along and keep your fingers on both of the frets. This same position can be played anywhere on the fret board.

Scissor Sisters - Filthy Gorgeous is a great song to play slapped as it is all octaves, although the song isn’t slapped it is more fun to play it this way.

 G|--------------------------------|
 D|-------7-----4------5------6----|
 A|--------------------------------| S = slap
 E|---5------2------3------4-------| P = pop

             S       P    S      P      S   P        S    P

Octaves can be played around with and once you know the octave pattern, you are able to move it around anywhere on the fretboard. You can do something as simple as just going up one fret at a time on your fretboard

 G|----------------------------------| 
 D|---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10-|          
 A|----------------------------------|            
 E|-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8----|

        S  P  S  P  S  P   S P  S  P   S P  S  P  S   P
 
or you can do a simple bass pattern which sound more like music and seems more interesting to watch.

 G|---5---5--------------------------|  
 D|-----------5---5---7----7--3---3--|           
 A|-3---3----------------------------|             
 E|---------3---3---5---5---1---1----|    

        S  P  S  P  S  P  S  P   S  P  S   P  S  P  S  P