Question on "Approach notes" (Walking bass lines)

[goolimari]

Hello all,

I have been trying to get a hang on walking bass lines, and have understood the basic principles..( its a different thing that i cant seen to put to practice what i've learnt..)

I have a question on the concept of 'approach notes". (please bear with me if this seems like a stupid question).

Suppose i am changing from B7 chord to E7 chord, and playing Root, Third, Root, (Chromatic) Approach note.

how do i think of the approach note?

i mean, do i think "B, D#, B, D#" or "B, D#, B, Eb"

both are essentially the same, but is there a "rule" around how to think about it?

[Freddels]

There is no rule except that since you're using chords from "sharp" keys, then you would think D#. However, player B D# B D# E gets a little boring. If you must use the 3rd (D#) then break it up by using the approach note from above the E (F). Or try the 5th B F# B D# E or
B F# B F (above) E.

I would suggest getting Ed Friedland's book on walking bass and also Todd Johnson's video.

[goolimari]

Hi Freddels,

Thanks for the response..i do have Freidland's book..am trudging thorugh it..

i have a good hold ont the "concept" of walking basslines..(Chromatic, double chromatic, dominant, scalar etc. approaches), but when i try to put it into practice, i kinda freeze up..

my practice session goes like..

B, D#, B,,ummm..err.. what do i have to change to now? was that E7?..what is the chromatic approach note to E7..D#? or wait a minute, is it Eb..? ...err.....$#%#$^#&#%&!!!!

[Freddels]

If you're hesitating, then you're thinking about where the notes are on your instrument. You really need to learn where they are. If you know that the next chord is an E7 then on beat 4 of the prior measure you can just choose a note above or below E. It takes practice.

If you have Ed's book (which is very good) I would suggest getting Todd's video. It's a different approach and may be more in tune with you.

Right now, with Ed's book, go back to the earlier examples (root 5th) and work on some tunes just using those notes. Then when you can do it with no problems, add an approach note to the next chord. Try breaking up the root 5th by using the octave to add some difference.

There is no shortcut to walking bass. It's really a life long learning experience.

[goolimari]

Thanks again..

yeah i realized the need to know my fretboard..am working on it..but it is frustrating as hell..i can rattle off all the chord notes if required, but i still cant think ahead for the changes..

will take a look at the Todd Johnson video..

[DocBop]

Try using a real simple approach note to until you get the hang of it. So when you have a chord moving to a chord a 4th up like your B7 to E7. Play 1,3,5, b5, 1 of next chord.

That is real simple but common situation that will get you into hearing and using a approach note. But as Freddels said you probably aren't familiar enough with your arpeggios enough so you can see/think of the next chords, chord-tones so you can see/think of a close chord tone and an approach note for it.

I would say isolate the problem and just practice going back and forth on two maybe three chords. Just a I-IV like you mentioned and keep doing the same two chords. Start with what I gave and once comfortable then start try to approach the I chord too. Then same thing this time do a II-V-I and loop it. Use a approach on one chord till comfortable then two chords then all three.

When you have problems, isolate to problem, work on it only, then expand it back into the music it comes from.

[goolimari]

Originally Posted by DocBop

When you have problems, isolate to problem, work on it only, then expand it back into the music it comes from.

great advice! will work on it and see how it goes..i do wish i had like 72 hours in day!..

[chicagodoubler]

Are you taking lessons?
Transcribing walking bass lines?

If not, get a great teacher, and try some lines by the likes of Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, and the greatly underapreciated Israel Crosby.

[Mark Wilson]

Theoretically, you need to stick with the key signature.
But, there's no 'right' way to think.
If it helps you out to think of Eb, then by all means think Eb!