Closing Cadence in G (G)
Fundamental I - IV - V7 - I sequence in G major for bass guitar
This cadence connects the three core harmonic functions through clean string crossings in first position. For G major the root sits at fret three of string four. Moving to C major cross directly to fret three of string three. For D7 take the open second string or fret five of string three. Resolve back to G with solid downbeat presence.
What the bass plays, bar by bar
The progression
- G
I · Bar 1, 4
- C
IV · Bar 2
- D7
V7 · Bar 3
It runs in 4/4 at 92 beats per minute, so each bar lasts about 2.6 seconds and the whole round about 10.4.
Bar by bar
| Bar | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | G1B1D2E2 |
| 2 | C | C2E2G1G#1 |
| 3 | D7 | D2F#2A1Ab1 |
| 4 | G | G1D2B1G1 |
Notes with a dotted border are not part of the chord.
Where each chord sits
- G
Bar 1, G.
The root G1 sits on string 4, fret 3 and the fifth D2 on open string 2.
The walking line plays G1, B1, D2 and E2.
E is not a note of G.
- C
Bar 2, C.
The root C2 sits on string 3, fret 3 and the fifth G1 on string 4, fret 3.
The walking line plays C2, E2, G1 and G#1.
G# is not a note of C.
- D7
Bar 3, D7.
The root D2 sits on open string 2 and the fifth A1 on open string 3.
The walking line plays D2, F#2, A1 and Ab1.
Ab is not a note of D7.
The last note sits a semitone from the first note of G.
- G
Bar 4, G.
The root G1 sits on string 4, fret 3 and the fifth D2 on open string 2.
The walking line plays G1, D2, B1 and G1.
How the root moves
G1 → C2 → D2 → G1
The roots are G1, C2, D2 and G1. G1 to C2 goes up five semitones, C2 to D2 goes up two semitones and D2 to G1 goes down seven semitones.
The lowest note of the circle is G1 and the highest F#2. It uses strings 4, 3 and 2. Strings 3 and 2 ring open at some point.
Closing Cadence in G (G) line for electric bass
One bar per chord with the root and fifth line for four-string electric bass (E, A, D, G).