Walking bass over jazz blues

[trasser]

Hi guys

I need some help with my walking bass lines. I'm playing jazz blues at the moment, and my walking line just sound horrible. Scale/modevise, I know I'm playing the right notes, but it just sounds boring.

Take some chords like:
F7|Bb7|F7|Cm7F7|
Bb7|Bb7|F7|D7|
Gm7|C7|F7Dm7|Gm7C7

What would you typically play over these changes? How would you WALK?

I hope you can help me.

[Phil Smith]

| F A C B | Bb C D E | F A Bb B | C Eb F B |
| Bb D Eb E | Bb Ab G E | F Eb D C | D E F F# |
| G A Bb B | C D Eb E | F A D F | G Bb C E |

[monroe55]

Originally Posted by trasser

Hi guys

I need some help with my walking bass lines. I'm playing jazz blues at the moment, and my walking line just sound horrible. Scale/modevise, I know I'm playing the right notes, but it just sounds boring.

Take some chords like:
F7|Bb7|F7|Cm7F7|
Bb7|Bb7|F7|D7|
Gm7|C7|F7Dm7|Gm7C7

What would you typically play over these changes? How would you WALK?



I hope you can help me.

I would walk my way over to the recent thread on Building Walking Basslines, grab Friedlands book, and walk with us towards our goal of achieving confident, graceful walking skills.

[Ed Fuqua]

Pay attention to me, the first part of the book and CD work specifically on blues changes....

[singlemalt]

Yep, building walking bass lines byEd Freidland is an excellent book, as is the companion, expanding walking bass lines.

I'll be checking out this other Ed too, that looks cool!

Either Ed should get you going!

[Stumbo]

Here are a few links you may want to check out:
Creating bass lines
Target Approach
Walking bass line examples
Ed Friedland on walking bass lines
Ed Fuqua's walking bass line book

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by trasser

Hi guys

I need some help with my walking bass lines. I'm playing jazz blues at the moment, and my walking line just sound horrible. Scale/modevise, I know I'm playing the right notes, but it just sounds boring.

Take some chords like:
F7|Bb7|F7|Cm7F7|
Bb7|Bb7|F7|D7|
Gm7|C7|F7Dm7|Gm7C7

What would you typically play over these changes? How would you WALK?

I hope you can help me.

Scale and modewise is the problem. Listen to both Ed's and you will have the answers. Since I'm here and it's the internet and we get equal time (listen to the Ed's) I would first play through the changes using only chord tones, starting on the roots on the first beat of each change. You cannot go wrong and it will develope your ear. Then add the approaches etc. and targeting other notes for the first beat than the root.

My first walking lesson from a teacher was root on beat one, on the last beat of a chord play 1/2 step below the next root or scale step above the next root. any other beats play a chord tone. Not perfect, but gets you a long way in many situations.

[thomashawk]

"Modern Walking Bass Technique : Vol. 1" by Mike Richmond is also an excellent resource.

-Tommy

[pbass888]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Pay attention to me, the first part of the book and CD work specifically on blues changes....

I can say as a new jazz(bass) player i endorse eds book. I had no idea prior and have been playing about a year. I ll post a video of myself walking thru some simple blues changes and perhaps you can get an idea ( also a critique if you like).

Todd Coolmans book is really a fantastic resource.
For listening to the sound and to transcribe(to really learn) check out percy heath (Modern jazz quartet) with bass parts so clear even I can pick out the lines.

if you want a real life example of good proper walking in the language and idiom of jazz ... here you go

http://www.jazzeducationdatabase.com...bass&Itemid=54

[kcandme]

I have the Ed Freidland book.
It is very helpful.

I wonder if anyone has a thought on this problem that I have.
Because 'mechanically', I can do stuff, without knowing really what it is, I have such a hard time 'backing down' and doing these basics...

[trasser]

Thanks everyone. Does anybody have the chords for the miles davis song "walkin'"?

[Ski3223]

Originally Posted by kcandme

I have the Ed Freidland book.
It is very helpful.

I wonder if anyone has a thought on this problem that I have.
Because 'mechanically', I can do stuff, without knowing really what it is, I have such a hard time 'backing down' and doing these basics...

Took me lots of re-education when it comes to building lines and playing out. I had a real problem with always wanting to make things more interesting when the music got dull by playing something technical and more complicated. After 6 years of that I finally figured out grooving is a better way of making things more "interesting." And I feel like a much better bass player for that.

[kcandme]

Originally Posted by Ski3223

Took me lots of re-education when it comes to building lines and playing out. I had a real problem with always wanting to make things more interesting when the music got dull by playing something technical and more complicated. After 6 years of that I finally figured out grooving is a better way of making things more "interesting." And I feel like a much better bass player for that.

Re-education Camp... Sounds kind'a scary, but...
Yep, that's Exactly where I need to be and what they keep telling me...
(sorry guys...I'm learning)

Thank You TBers

[jweiss]

Originally Posted by trasser

Thanks everyone. Does anybody have the chords for the miles davis song "walkin'"?

You can find the changes in one of these fake books.

Email me if you want a pdf.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Ed Fuqua]

But it's just a blues?

[jweiss]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

But it's just a blues?

Why look at that , it's an f blues alright.

So unless you need the head, trasser, you should be all set.