Jazz standards

[floppybass]

There are many great books talking about Walking Bass, but the best way to learn how to walk on chord progression is to learn the bass lines straight from the recordings!

For instance, if you're stuck on Autumn Leaves, you should try to transcribe the walking on Miles Davis version (I think the bass player is Sam Jones, but I'm not sure).

By doing this, not only will you learn how to walk, but you'll also work on your ear skills, plus you'll immerse yourself into jazz way deeper than by using any book or method.

All you have to do is to transcribe one or two choruses, learn it by heart, then transcribe it, analyse it, and extract any piece of walking that you find interesting. Then to incorporate this piece of language in your playing by running it through the 12 keys, and by playing it in other contexts.

Hope this helps, and sorry for my english!

 

[Russell L]

Also, if you don't know any music theory, learn the basics. Just understanding what's going on will makes a lot of difference. I can easily come up with a walking line by knowing how chords interact, for instance. I use a combination of arpeggios and scale steps, sometimes other things, too. It's quite rewarding and pleasing to do it.

 

[tspallone]

I was in the same situation recently. I just wanted to "walk", the way the pros do, ya know? And, I've done some training and sort of figured out the basics of walking and can get by with most standars now but, if you listen to the standards with the upright player going nuts....that's a whole other level.

I understand the theory behind what they're doing but, damn, this arpeggio on this octave, that arpegio on that octave, BUT, throw in a flat lead-in note in transition, or a sharp transition note...... It's like a workout!!

Those founding fathers of upright jazz standards are freaks of nature.