Modify the sheet music??

[JDHolmes]

First thing is I don't have the actual sheet music, but it is something written by someone here on TB. The song is Autumn Leaves. However, this question really applies to any piece of sheet music.

Basically, is it appropriate (OK) to change the notes used.

rationale: I read, again, explanation of walking bass here in this forum. Finally, it clicked for me. I then went back and analyzed Autumn Leaves with this information and found what I thought would be easier to play and still sound musical.

The reason I ask is that there are some difficult moves. For example, for chord progress of Gmaj7 then Cmaj7, first note is G (third fret E string), second note is C (5th fret G string), third note is F#(4th fret D strong), approach note is B (2nd fret A string), C (3rd fret A string), C (5th fret G string)....

Why not use G, F#, D, B, then C, E, ....?

[Bruce Lindfield]

When it comes to a bass line - play what you like - but I think you are missing the point big time if you think bass playing is about playing the "easiest" way through the chords!!

A bass line should give the tune forward momentum, it should add to the tune and should be musically satisfying, etc etc.

The idea is to play something that sounds great - not that is easy to play!

In answer to your basic question - Autumn Leaves is a tune that has been played millions of times and with every possible bass line. It's a Jazz standard and with Jazz, the idea is to improvise and play lines that don't repeat necessarily - in Jazz you are supposed to be making up new bass lines every time you play!

[ericw]

Originally Posted by JDHolmes

The reason I ask is that there are some difficult moves. For example, for chord progress of Gmaj7 then Cmaj7, first note is G (third fret E string), second note is C (5th fret G string), third note is F#(4th fret D strong), approach note is B (2nd fret A string), C (3rd fret A string), C (5th fret G string)....

Should not be difficult moves. More practice!

[groooooove]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

When it comes to a bass line - play what you like - but I think you are missing the point big time if you think bass playing is about playing the "easiest" way through the chords!!

A bass line should give the tune forward momentum, it should add to the tune and should be musically satisfying, etc etc.

The idea is to play something that sounds great - not that is easy to play!

In answer to your basic question - Autumn Leaves is a tune that has been played millions of times and with every possible bass line. It's a Jazz standard and with Jazz, the idea is to improvise and play lines that don't repeat necessarily - in Jazz you are supposed to be making up new bass lines every time you play!

yeah, +1.

in your particular case, just practice the written line, because it shouldent be too difficult to play.

your goal when walking through jazz is not at all, as stated above, to do whats easy. your really supposed to be navigating (walking ) through each chord, and creating a sence of harmonic motion. all the other instruments your playing with will be plunking out chords, you should be connecting the differnt notes of those chords, to the notes of the next chord, in a musical way.

[dvh]

Originally Posted by ericw

Should not be difficult moves. More practice!

+1 you must be a fairly new player - moves like that will become a piece of cake soon...

A +1 to all the other replies also...

[Funky President]

You could also try moving the given notes up or down an octave, for example you could move those two Cs from the 5th fret on the G string to the third fret on the A string. It might sound more interesting with the big leap in there but at this point it seems like its more important that you're comfortable playing the line.

[Chris K]

Are you sure about the consistency of your fingerings and positions?
Maybe a teacher would be worthwhile.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by JDHolmes

for chord progress of Gmaj7 then Cmaj7, first note is G (third fret E string), second note is C (5th fret G string), third note is F#(4th fret D strong), approach note is B (2nd fret A string), C (3rd fret A string), C (5th fret G string)....

Uh, if the second quarter note of a walking line over one 4/4 bar of Gmaj7 is a C, I would definitely modify the sheet music!

[ericw]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Uh, if the second quarter note of a walking line over one 4/4 bar of Gmaj7 is a C, I would definitely modify the sheet music!

Why? And to what? My understanding is that the chord should be emphasized on beats 1 and 3 with more freedom given to the notes falling on beats 2 and 4. Walking up fourths to the F# sounds fine, although a little mysterious, to me. I haven't found another note I strongly prefer, but F natural also sounds good to me...

[JDHolmes]

Thank you all for responses.

The example I used was the only one I definitively remembered. The notes from the sheet music were exact however, that's why I asked.

The question was intended to be more general based on reading the walking bass lines thread and Carol Kaye's chord progression stuff and some of the sequences didn't make a lot of sense to me (specifically the Gmaj7 chord starting on low G with the following note being middle C).

As part of this sheet music there is, for me, a very difficult section of 1/8th notes with the first being B (2nd fret A string) E (7th fret A string) E (9th fret G string) (this is the toughest move of the three measures of 1/8th notes.

Yes, I'm a relatively new player. I was with a teacher who was not meeting my needs. Yes, as a new player my fingering technique needs improvement (as do all aspects of my playing).

For the comments about looking for an "easy" way to play it, I'm looking for a means of playing it, musically acceptable, within my current skill set. "Learning" to play the most difficult composition does nothing except put a learner at the frustration level of learning which leads to quitting (I taught school for 17 years so I know "learning" theory).

As a newer player, I want some success to provide motivation moving forward. I also want to understand what and why I'm playing what I'm playing. As much discussion takes place here about "improv", "walking bass lines", "chord progressions" et al, I'm trying to use correct theory to simplify sheet music and still have it "sound good."

[JDHolmes]

Originally Posted by ericw

Why? And to what? My understanding is that the chord should be emphasized on beats 1 and 3 with more freedom given to the notes falling on beats 2 and 4. Walking up fourths to the F# sounds fine, although a little mysterious, to me. I haven't found another note I strongly prefer, but F natural also sounds good to me...

This sheet music was written in F# so the majority of "F"s are F#. There are several segments of this score that are E, F, F#, G which I hadn't questioned are not an issue in my mind (feeble with this subject matter that it is)

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by JDHolmes

I also want to understand what and why I'm playing what I'm playing. As much discussion takes place here about "improv", "walking bass lines", "chord progressions" et al, I'm trying to use correct theory to simplify sheet music and still have it "sound good."

Well - you have to have an aim in mind otherwise it is just an academic exercise.

Autumn Leaves is a very well-known Jazz standard, which is often given to beginners to Jazz as a good starting point for getting into the music.

You seem to be asking what a good bass line for this tune would be like and I can give you the perfect example!

Just listen to the first track on the Cannonball Adderley album "Somethin Else" - bass by Sam Jones - that's an excellent model!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I41J/?tag=