Need help on walking bass lines

[Blisterthumb]

Okay, I've been playing bass for about 3 years, and I recently enrolled into "Music Theory" at my high school. I entered the class so I could get a basic understanding of music itself, as well as to help me with my bass playing.

However, I was late entering the class, so I am far behind. My teacher also has kind of put me off to the side, so I'm not really getting any help in there. So I've decided to ask here. My question is, What is the technique behind walking bass lines? Sorry if this has been asked before, I have used the search function but nothing has come up that answers my question.

[Ed Fuqua]

Well, there's this or that.

[Scourge441]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Well, there's this or that.

Why doesn't the BG section have a theory forum?

[Skel]

Walking Bass Lines: You are playing in 4/4 time, playing quarter notes or either notes. The first note is the root, second is the "third", 3rd note is the "5th" and the last note of the measure is the "7th". Walking bass lines are usually always used in "I-IV-V" progessions so you follow the instructions above for the "I", "IV", and "V" chords (i,e, "A", "D", "E"). If you are playing in the Key of "A", for example, the notes would be A, C#, E, F# on the "I" chord, or "A", then jump strings to D, F#, A, B (same exact pattern), then slide up from "D" to "E" and finish still using that same pattern. Try it with quarter notes, then eighth notes, and this will get you by for a simple walking pattern. Then listen to any blues CD to get ideas for making this simple pattern more interesting when you get bored with it. Good luck.

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Scourge441

Why doesn't the BG section have a theory forum?

I think they took a vote and got the Tab forum instead.

[Snarf]

Good walking comes from good fundamentals, then adding some time and experience. Learn your chord scales, get all the dry stuff in your head, then as you keep playing and playing with people, you'll probably start to open up, playing around with different accents and line curves, etc.

[ryco]

Originally Posted by Freddels

I think they took a vote and got the Tab forum instead.

OH GREAT! I just blew coffee all over my mac....

[jesusplaysbass]

youve been playing for three years right, so im presuming ur familar with the concept of modes?

basically the way i look at it is in scale degrees... take a standard jazz 2 5 1 in gmaj... we get Ami7 D7 Gmaj7... so to walk around that i would use dorian mode on the ami7, mixolydian mode on the d7, and then ionion (major scale) mode on the Gmaj7...

this works for awhile, but then you get to altered chords, and changes in tonality, but being able to recognize that just comes with time and practice

[LifeIsBass]

I've just started working on walking bass lines and jazz in general. Pick up Ed Friedland's "Building Walking Bass Lines" book. I find that it's really well written, easy to understand, and very helpful.

Know the fretboard. Get an arpeggio book and work on them. Learn your intervals. Once you get some basics down, pick up a Hal Leonard Jazz play-along book. These book/CD packs are great ways to learn jazz standards and for working on improvising walking bass lines and solos. Make up your own chord progressions or copy the progression from any jazz standard and build a walking line for it.

Be patient! I have to keep telling myself that, too!
In terms of the physical technique, walking bass is relatively easy. But mentally, I find it the most challenging thing to do on bass other than jazz soloing. It will take a long time and a lot of experience to get really good at it and a lifetime to master.

Seeing a jazz bassist walk over a complex jazz tune will always impress me immeasurably more than seeing someone slap and pop a million notes a minute!

[jady]

Originally Posted by ryco

OH GREAT! I just blew coffee all over my mac....

Dont macs have a windshield wiper or something to address this?

[Skel]

Originally Posted by Skel

Walking Bass Lines: You are playing in 4/4 time, playing quarter notes or either notes. The first note is the root, second is the "third", 3rd note is the "5th" and the last note of the measure is the "7th". Walking bass lines are usually always used in "I-IV-V" progessions so you follow the instructions above for the "I", "IV", and "V" chords (i,e, "A", "D", "E"). If you are playing in the Key of "A", for example, the notes would be A, C#, E, F# on the "I" chord, or "A", then jump strings to D, F#, A, B (same exact pattern), then slide up from "D" to "E" and finish still using that same pattern. Try it with quarter notes, then eighth notes, and this will get you by for a simple walking pattern. Then listen to any blues CD to get ideas for making this simple pattern more interesting when you get bored with it. Good luck.

I hope you've ignored me so far! I gave you some bad info. In the simplest form I know of, the walking bass line is a I-III-V-VI, the "sixth", not the "seventh", sorry for the mistake. Playing the 7th (either one) would sound like crap in that example. In playing it for myself I think the most sensible, simple walking bass line should really be a I-III-V-VI-VII (flated, or dominant 7th and not the major 7th)-VI-V-III, I-III-V-VI-VII-VI-V-III, etc, etc. This pattern requires your left hand to remain in the same position - no shifting, and is a 4 fret finger spread. The only time you shift your hand is when you slide up to the V position. Hope this helps, this is how *I* do it, anyway.