Nathaniel School of Music

Urvasi Bass Lesson: Scale Positions You Need to Know

The Urvasi bass line by A.R. Rahman sits in C minor and uses the root, major second, minor third, perfect fourth and perfect fifth (C, D, Eb, F, G), and you can play it from three positions by starting the riff with your index, middle or little finger.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 11 min

Can't see the video? Watch it on YouTube.

Key points

This lesson uses the well-known bass line from A.R. Rahman's song Urvasi to teach something every bassist needs: playing the same line in different positions on the fretboard. Jason Zac chose this riff because it is ideal for position practice, but the idea works for any groove, tune or line. It suits beginner and improving bass players who want better fretboard knowledge, dexterity and fluidity.

This is Part 1 of a two-part lesson. Part 1 covers the notes, the articulation and the positions. Part 2 moves on to groove and timing.

The notes of the Urvasi bass line

The line is basically in C, or C minor. It is built from five notes:

The riff starts on C and climbs C, D, Eb before moving to the fourth and fifth. Learn it slowly first. It also helps to know where your fifths are on the bass, because the fifth is a key landing note in this line.

On the original recording the part sounds more like a synth, keyboard or marimba than a bass guitar. It still makes a very cool bass line, which is why so many players cover it on bass.

Play the notes short

Do not let the notes ring out. The line should sound like a pulse, almost like a drum. Long, sustained notes sound pleasant but do not groove as well here.

This short sound comes mainly from the picking hand, not the fretting hand. Cut each note off as cleanly as you can with your picking hand right after you play it.

The three positions

You have four fretting fingers, but you generally do not start a shape on the ring finger, because it is naturally the weakest. That leaves three starting fingers, and each one gives you a position.

Position 1: start with the index finger

Play the root C with your index finger and let the other fingers fall on the remaining notes. The whole riff is played from this shape. Jason Zac treats this as the go-to position because it simply feels comfortable. Rather than worrying about the formal name of the position, just start from the index finger and work out the fingering from there.

Position 2: start with the middle finger

Now play the root with your middle finger. Most of the shape stays the same as Position 1. The main difference is the minor third (Eb): it is played in a different place, and your index finger has to reach for it. It feels slightly tricky at first, but it is very good for fretboard knowledge.

Position 3: start with the little finger

Play the root with your little finger (pinky). From here you cannot comfortably play the major second in the usual spot without shifting your whole hand, which gets messy. Instead, find D either further along the same string or on the adjacent string. The minor third follows. The fourth stays under the root, just as in the other positions. The fifth moves to a new location compared with the earlier shapes.

How to practise

  1. Learn the five notes slowly and play along with the song.
  2. Keep every note short, using your picking hand to stop the sound.
  3. Play the full riff in Position 1 until it feels secure.
  4. Move to Position 2, paying attention to the index-finger reach for the minor third.
  5. Try Position 3, choosing where to place the major second and noticing where the fifth now sits.
  6. Cycle through all three positions to understand how each shape works.

You will not have to use all three positions in performance. The point is to stop relying on one default fingering. Exploring different shapes builds dexterity and fluidity, and helps you learn the fretboard far more completely. Take your time, then move on to Part 2 to work on timing and groove.

Questions about this lesson

What key is the Urvasi bass line in?

It is basically in C, or C minor. It uses the notes C, D, Eb, F and G.

Why play the Urvasi riff in different positions?

Playing one riff from several starting fingers shows you how each hand shape works. It builds dexterity and fluidity and helps you learn the fretboard more completely, instead of relying on one default fingering.

Why not start a bass position with the ring finger?

The ring finger is naturally the weakest finger. Positions are therefore usually started with the index, middle or little finger.

How do I get the short, punchy sound in this bass line?

Use your picking hand to cut each note off right after you play it. This makes the line sound like a pulse, almost like a drum.

Practise it

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