Methods to think while playing a walking bass line

[Langueta]

I am begining to study jazz and my teacher told me to play a walking line without memorizing the notes but instead pay attention to the chord progressions and chords of the song.
I am learning all the things you are and tobb coleman walking bass line, I put the band in a box and start playing at 45 bpm very slowly so while I am walking through it I am thinking the progressions.
Do you have other methods you use?

[TheBasicBassist]

um..for that particular tune..

i'm not thinking F-/Bb-/Eb7/Ab

so much as vi-ii-V-I in Ab

then the Db serves as a tritone sub
to a ii-V in C

and so on and so forth..
i personally find it easier to think in term
of key centers as opposes to memorizing
everything chord, ya dig?
because chord progressions are used 259738 x's
over in jazz so to me, it's more easily transferable
when someone yells out a different tune..
it also makes it easier to play in different keys..
imo..


-- john

[Langueta]

Originally Posted by TheBasicBassist

um..for that particular tune..

i'm not thinking F-/Bb-/Eb7/Ab

so much as vi-ii-V-I in Ab

then the Db serves as a tritone sub
to a ii-V in C

and so on and so forth..
i personally find it easier to think in term
of key centers as opposes to memorizing
everything chord, ya dig?
because chord progressions are used 259738 x's
over in jazz so to me, it's more easily transferable
when someone yells out a different tune..
it also makes it easier to play in different keys..
imo..


-- john

Thanks
Can you give a good way to practice the 2-5-1 progressions?????

[TheBasicBassist]

um learning rhythm changes will help.
practicing ii-V-I in all keys, such as.

d-7/G7/Cmaj7
b-7/E7/Amaj7
c-7/F#7/Bmaj7

and of course the I chords can be either
major or minor.
and the ii chords either minor or half-diminished
(minor seven-flat 5).

when i'm constructing a walking line, or practicing a new
tune is walking a bassline starting from the root
of the first chord then walking all the way to the highest note
on the neck then all the way back down to the lowest and so on
and so forth. it's helped me a lot.

also trying to walking meaningful bass lines between open and 5th fret,
5th and 12th fret and so on is a big challenge man..
trying walking 'all the things you are' between open and fifth fret,
that's some workout. haha. but just try and make up games for yourself..

play all ii-V-I starting with roots, then start with thirds then fifths.
and mix it up.. combine all three..
you get the idea..sorry for rambling.

[mynewbaby]

This is the same song my instructor is using as an intro to walking jazz.
I have no tips for you though. I'm just getting my feet wet.