Passing Tones

[Agilulfo]

We're working on some new arrangements and a discussion came up about the use of passing tones in basslines.

Our Drummer (guitarist) says "no notes outside the key are allowed..it's a rule."

One can play passing tones (or, approach notes) that are inside the key since there are two types of passing tones: diatonic and non-diatonic. Basically, any note that is not a chord tone can be construed as a passing tone, whether it's non-diatonic (outside the key) or diatonic (inside the key).

 

[Oratorio]

If it's jazz you're playing he must be out of his mind, because it is an essential technique when playing walking bass lines. You could always just play the notes of the key you are in like Agilulfo suggested, but it will most likely sound very weird and not much jazz-like at all.

Say to him that the bass community thinks he's wrong.

 

[DocBop]

One can play passing tones (or, approach notes) that are inside the key since there are two types of passing tones: diatonic and non-diatonic. Basically, any note that is not a chord tone can be construed as a passing tone, whether it's non-diatonic (outside the key) or diatonic (inside the key).

I agree a PT can be a scale tone, it more about how you are using the note. Like when soloing roots of chords should be just be PT's or on weak beats. I would say PT's and approach notes are about how the note is being used and the pitch itself is less importance. You see this a lot in fast riffs. People go nuts trying to analyzing transcriptions where some note that doesn't fit the assumed scale, its because many times the soloist is just hitting any note as a rhythmic filler. As a Jazz guitar legend once said "any note works if you hit it fast enough". That quote is not only is true, but used a lot in all styles of music.