# The Daily Bread, Double bass

Scales, arpeggios, and the Simandl system across the neck

Scales on the double bass are a full physical commitment, the distances are real, the shifts are wide. Build this practice into every day and the fingerboard stops feeling like a geography problem.

Intermediate · 5 lessons · approximately 100 minutes of material (not a mastery deadline).

## Before this module
- [Notes on the Page](/learn/bass/notes-on-page), Bass clef fluency, ledger lines, and orchestral reading

## What this module covers
1. **Major Scales in Half & First Position**, All twelve major scales within the Simandl lower positions (20 min)
2. **Minor Scales**, Natural, harmonic, and melodic minor across the lower register (20 min)
3. **Two-Octave Scales**, Crossing the first shift into a complete two-octave run (20 min)
4. **Arpeggios Across the Neck**, Broken triads and seventh chords through shifting positions (20 min)
5. **The Daily Practice Routine**, Building a warm-up sequence that covers technique and musicianship daily (20 min)

## Practise with a free reference
- [Free note-reading practice](/tools/note-reading), Check note names in the clef you are studying before adding instrumental technique.
- [Double bass first-position chart](/charts/bass), A lower-position reference only; it does not show every accidental, extension or shift in this module.
- [Public scale references](/learn/scales), Read pitch sequences and play reference examples. Available routines do not establish an exam syllabus requirement.

## What comes next
- [The Moment It Becomes Music](/learn/bass/moment-music), Phrasing, shaping, and musical intention from the bottom up

## Where should I start with the daily bread?
The curriculum places Notes on the Page before this module. Review those topics if they are unfamiliar. The first lesson is “Major Scales in Half & First Position”: All twelve major scales within the Simandl lower positions. The order is a study guide, not proof that every learner needs the same pace.

## How long is the the daily bread module?
The 5 listed lessons total approximately 100 minutes of material. That estimate describes lesson content, not the practice time needed to become comfortable with scales, arpeggios, and the simandl system across the neck. Revisit one task at a time and use feedback from a teacher where physical technique is involved.

## What can I try here without an account?
The the daily bread description, lesson sequence and prerequisite links are public. There is no full worked lesson sample for this module yet. The linked public tools and references are free. A free account includes the complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five lessons in music theory, with saved progress and no expiry. Later lessons require the relevant paid package.

## Continue in Arco
The complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five music theory lessons are free with an account, including saved progress and no time limit. Later lessons require the relevant paid package. Public samples do not assess your physical technique or certify exam readiness.

[See packages and pricing](/pricing) · [Back to the double bass curriculum](/learn/bass)

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/learn/bass/daily-bread