im not really a jazz bass player or anything but im pretty involved with it at school and the jazz combo im in plays this song called work song. most of this song is just over an f mi7 chord and i find that i just end playing the same idea over and over again. i tried listening to a recording of it to copy ideas but the bass was to hidden. if anyone could offer me some help/advice on walking over a single chord it would be greatly appreciated.

Fmin7

Using the chord tones alone:

/ F Ab C Eb / Ab C Eb F / C Eb F Ab / Eb F Ab C /

/ F Eb C Ab / Eb C Ab F / C Ab F Eb / Ab F Eb C /

Harmonically correct but doesn't sound as good as:

Assuming this is a dorian minor:

F G Ab Bb C D Eb:

/ F G Ab Bb / C D Eb F / Eb F G Bb / C Bb Ab G /

/ F Eb D Bb / Ab G F G / Ab Bb C D / Eb D C G /

Modal Mapping-
This is yet another of my constant bug-a-boos.

I would listen to a few of the many, many versions out there of either "So What" or "Impressions"...if possible, transcribe what the bassists(i.e. Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Jimmy Garrison, etc) are doing.
If you do find the bass "hidden"(& I can relate)...check out the Aebersold book/cd that has "So What" & solo the bass track! ;)


What may help, too is this-
Vary "the feel" somewhere along the path.
In lieu of constant swung 1/4 notes throughout, maybe try a Latin-ish rhythm (using 1-5-8? Add extensions/chromatics as felt) over a chorus.
This does a couple things:
1)Helps break up things
2)Gives you some time to think of the next few walking bars
;)

Another device to try-
Pedal over a few bars(staying on ONE note).
...also gives you a break!

Yeah, Cannonball & Nat & Sam Jones, etc
Minor Blues in a Soul Jazz/Hard Bop vibe...

Maybe WhiteNoiz & Company are vamping on one chord for the solos or sumthin'?