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Intro To Walking Bass

markjsmithbass

markjsmithbass

Jun 12, 2013
354
323
Leeds & Isle Of Wight, UK
www.talkingbass.net
#1
Just started a new series on getting started with walking basslines. This is just really an overview as to the stuff that'll be coming and gives a bit of an introduction to some of the basic ideas behind walking. I take a slightly different approach with this. I know many people either jump straight in with working on chord tones or the other side of trying a 2 feel with root-5th then expand on it. But I give more of an overview of targeting and the basic decision making then give a sample line to try on for size. Probably not for everybody and I'll no doubt get criticised for not giving a crash course or quick fix approach like so many impatient Youtubers seem to want but I don't think a quick fix method really helps in the long run. Hopefully it'll serve to be a decent taster for upcoming lessons.

http://www.talkingbass.net/beginning-walking-basslines-1-basic-introduction/
 
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#5
You'd be amazed (or maybe not) at how many students and bass players I've actually taught or known that didn't know that walking lines weave through chord progressions in this way and many don't even know what walking basslines sound like. For some people it just seems like a really confusing subject, especially if you've no interest in jazz or never really listened to any walking. I know it seems weird that someone like this might want to learn walking basslines but it seems to be the norm to teach walking to all students as an important skill even if that student is only interested in playing death metal. This lesson is intended for those players that need an overview before getting into the nuts and bolts of it all (even though I do go a little nuts and bolts at some points).

I'm purposely avoiding advanced/upper intermediate lessons until I get through a lot of the beginner and lower intermediate level stuff. It's an attempt at keeping the lessons progressive in nature. Hence the number of Part One's dotted around my lesson map. I want to build on each section over time. As for advanced players, they certainly don't want tips from a nobody like me. I might do a few things on complex rhythm at some point simply because it's a particular interest of mine (albeit slightly useless for most people including myself!) but most advanced players want world renowned players like Gary Willis or Janek. And I don't blame them. Me too.
 
#6
Mark, I hope you did not think I was saying anything negative about your remarks - quite the opposite. Any negative remarks were addressed to my lack of understanding and why I not already figured this out.

Once we target the next root your comments about getting there can be accomplished in several ways opened a new door for me. Why I had not figured out that chord tones, chromatic and or diatonic notes could be used - in any order was my point. It is such a simple concept that I had not considered it as a possibility. My bad.

Target where you need to be and then get there by what ever means fits the song - opens up all kinds of new possibilities.

Thanks
 
#9
MalcolmAmos said:
Mark, I hope you did not think I was saying anything negative about your remarks - quite the opposite. Any negative remarks were addressed to my lack of understanding and why I not already figured this out.

Once we target the next root your comments about getting there can be accomplished in several ways opened a new door for me. Why I had not figured out that chord tones, chromatic and or diatonic notes could be used - in any order was my point. It is such a simple concept that I had not considered it as a possibility. My bad.

Target where you need to be and then get there by what ever means fits the song - opens up all kinds of new possibilities.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Not at all. Just reminded me to mention it's an overview. A few people have asked about progressive lesson plans so you got me thinking. Glad you liked it.
 
#11
Yeah- getting to the target was, and is something I need and seek to be more familiar with:
I don't like most jazz (just doesn't do anything for me), so that may have been a hinderance in learning about walking to the next 'target' (and where to start the walk), altho that's what links most of what I'm interested in. Most of the rock, etc I've liked has really been played and written by jazz-learned players, so there's some aspect of jazz I like, just not the 'lost, newly hatched butterfly' styles (too many hit riding?).
Thanks for addressing this, as it has been a primary interest, and since you're so descriptive in your explanations (one way to say you're a great teacher), we're very fortunate to have these concepts presented and explained by you rather than having to dig them out/find them the hard way.
Now to put it into practice...
Thanks
 
#12
By the way, this targeting of notes is handy for getting used to soloing through changes too. Play around a I VI II V, play a phrase over the I and target a note over the VI, or play a phrase over the VI and target a note in the II etc. etc. It's a really obvious thing to do but sometimes people just don't think to do it. It can help with getting away from the tonicisation kind of mentality (the rock guitaritst trap) of blowing a C major scale over a tune in C major or an F blues scale over an entire F blues progression. There's room for everything and it works when it works but there's no way of getting round the fact that at some point you've got to learn how to address the chord progression itself.
 
#14
Great stuff!
I've slowly getting my head around the concept and have just recently started incorporating them into what I'm playing.
I found this really helpful at demystifying some of the core elements. Moving from knowing 'about' it into knowing it.
I have a lot to work on... But I feel I have a better roadmap now.
 
#20
markjsmithbass said:
You'd be amazed (or maybe not) at how many students and bass players I've actually taught or known that didn't know that walking lines weave through chord progressions in this way and many don't even know what walking basslines sound like. For some people it just seems like a really confusing subject, especially if you've no interest in jazz or never really listened to any walking. I know it seems weird that someone like this might want to learn walking basslines but it seems to be the norm to teach walking to all students as an important skill even if that student is only interested in playing death metal. This lesson is intended for those players that need an overview before getting into the nuts and bolts of it all (even though I do go a little nuts and bolts at some points).
Click to expand...

Actually, I'd say learning to walk chords has improved my death metal playing too.
 

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