Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines, Book 1: Walking Bass Lines- The Blues in 12 Key

JHandley · #1 12-28-2011, 01:30 PM

Has anyone used/ studied this book?
It seems like a pretty complete method for me to study a jazz approach.
Jeff

fearceol · #2 12-30-2011, 08:07 AM

I'm not familiar with that book. I did a search and had a look. I dont see any mention of an accompanying CD. I have the two linked below. I'm currently working my way through the Jay Hungerford one. Both are great and come with a CD.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+jay&x=20&y=17

Amazon.com: ed building walking bass lines: Books

Marial · #3 12-30-2011, 08:16 AM

I just ordered the Ed Friedlund book, so I don't have any reactions/input just yet, but I'm really looking forward to its arrival. The ability to put put a good walking bass line together has been the biggest hole in my playing forever.

fivestringgecko · #4 12-30-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marial

The ability to put put a good walking bass line together has been the biggest hole in my playing forever.

For me it's not quite a hole in my playing, but it's definitely something I've wanted to get much further into. I've had both the Building and Expanding Walking Bass Lines books for a while now... Just need to work my way through them.

5sg.

MalcolmAmos · #5 12-31-2011, 09:30 PM

Ed Friedland has a talent for putting words together. I highly recommend anything written by Ed.

Basshappi · #6 12-31-2011, 10:09 PM

Ditto.
Ed's books are great and if you make a serious effort to work through them you will benefit greatly.

clodhopper · #7 01-01-2012, 04:03 AM

The thread title does not refer to the book by Ed Friedland but rather to this:

Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines, Book 1 by Steven Mooney.

This book is specifically on Walking Bass Lines for 12 bar blues in all 12 keys. It is part of a series that includes books on Rhythm changes in all 12 keys and Standard Jazz Lines (whatever they are)

Thre Friedland book (actually he has done 2 on walking bass) are less specific, though look very good.

I have ordered Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines, Book 1 and will post a quick review here when I get it.

fivestringgecko · #8 01-01-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clodhopper

The thread title does not refer to the book by Ed Friedland but rather to this:

Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines, Book 1 by Steven Mooney.

Guess that shows you just how much time I've spent with the (other) books I have, huh? Sorry for the confusion!

This thread made me realize that I do need to work through them though, I took them to kinkos to get them spiral bound! It's a step, I guess...

lol

May have to check out the Mooney book.

5sg.

JHandley · #9 01-01-2012, 08:25 AM

thank you for the direction guys,
as clodhopper stated, that is one I was interested in.
I have also added Mr Friedlands books to the list of texts I may
yet purchase.
As well as the Jay Hungerford one.
Happy New Year!
Jeff

clodhopper · #10 01-16-2012, 03:45 AM

OK, so I've had this book for a couple of weeks and dipped into it a couple of times.
It consists of a theory section and a transcription section with blues lines in 12 keys.
The theory section is well structured and introduces new concepts with a brief description/theory section and then a couple of choruses of F Blues using the new concept. This covers most of what you need although didn't cover scalar approaches. Apart from this omission it covers ground that I have seen in other books on walking bass. A couple of bonuses are sections on pedal tones and repeated notes which are not often discussed. It may have been useful to discuss various varieties of blues chord progressions and substitutions, although a section on tritone substitutes and turnarounds will give insights into this. Generally good intro to walking bass on the blues. Not a method as no exercises as such but the transcriptions provide lots of practice.
The transcription section contains 4 or 5 pages in each key. Each transcription is different although following the same progression of ideas similar to the progression of subjects covered in the first section of the book. One issue is that towards the end of each transcription the changes are Parker Blues changes (as in Blues for Alice). This is useful but is not covered in the first section of the book and may come as a surprise to some. I have found the transcriptions very useful for developing sight reading in unfamiliar keys as walking basslines are rhymically very simple allowing concentration on the notes.
Generally a useful book. If you have read other books on walking bass you won't find any great revelations, but it covers what it sets out to do adequately. For me the transcriptions are the most useful part. I'm hoping to use them to break out of the same tired old licks I always play on blues, and also, as mentioned before, they are good for sight reading.
I'm thinking of getting the 2nd book which deals with Rhythm Changes as I find I'm really limited in the lines I play and would like to get a bit more flexible with this progression.

JHandley · #11 02-04-2012, 08:17 PM

Ive had my copy of the originally posted text for a couple of weeks now, having been studying it sparsely until the last week.
I find it very helpful to my site reading and getting the feel of what it takes to construct walking bass lines.
In all I think i've chosen a book that will take me a long way in understanding how to FEEL and HEAR walking bass patterns.
I like that it does NOT contain tab, as I have to force myself to read the music and figure out the timing of the notes.
I use the online monkey machine app and that helps me greatly.
Im very excited to learn everything in this book.
I believe I have chosen well.
Jeff