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Practicing Walking

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,285
120,422
Metro St. Louis
#1


As an old man, I have decided to become a proficient walking bassist. My teacher had me try out Freddie Freeloader since everything in the song is a dominant 7th chord. That allowed me to pretty much use one pattern. I am not playing Jimmie Garrison’s part but I am repeating pattern for the different chords. The song is very much a Blues, so it feels familiar.
 
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#4
I'm also an older guy with the same goal. I recently got turned onto Bob Cranshaw (thanks to @pdbass), and he has become my inspiration. His solid, straight-ahead walking on electric bass is what I aspire to.
I lurk on the DB side often and have learned much, but feel a little like a stranger there because I don't play a DB.
On our side here I've searched and haven't found a Club for those playing walking bass on eb, I know there are many here who play Jazz on electric bass only, as well as those who double. Perhaps one needs to be started?

Please keep us posted with your progress, and I'll do the same.
 
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#5
I was just starting to dabble on bass while I was a trumpet major in college. One semester, we didn’t have a bass player for the combo. We decided to throw me in on bass! I was hanging on by a thread, but it was a great experience and my first group.

Over the years I drifted away from jazz, getting into rock, funk and country. Maybe about 2 years ago I decided to get back into it. I’m not necessarily playing much jazz now, nor do I desire to- but it’s such a great endeavor for my musicianship. It strengthens your sense of pulse, harmonic knowledge and facility on the fingerboard. I bought some transcription books, so I get to work on my reading as well!
 
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#7
oldandbold said:
I'm also an older guy with the same goal. I recently got turned onto Bob Cranshaw (thanks to @pdbass), and he has become my inspiration. His solid, straight-ahead walking on electric bass is what I aspire to.
I lurk on the DB side often and have learned much, but feel a little like a stranger there because I don't play a DB.
On our side here I've searched and haven't found a Club for those playing walking bass on eb, I know there are many here who play Jazz on electric bass only, as well as those who double. Perhaps one needs to be started?

Please keep us posted with your progress, and I'll do the same.
Click to expand...

From what I can see the key is to be able to spell chords quickly, all over the fingerboard.
 
#9
Walking is essential to traditional jazz. It gets difficult when you speed up. I have experience with walking but haven't used it in years until my current band. We were playing some pop song and when the main sax player started soloing, the drummer changed the drum pattern to straight ahead which forced me to walk. Wore me out trying to keep up but I managed. Now it's a regular part of the set. SMDH!!
 
#10
Dr. Cheese said:
From what I can see the key is to be able to spell chords quickly, all over the fingerboard.
Click to expand...
Precisely, Doc — and the next key is planning/visualizing how you're going to walk to the next chord.

I love love love walkin' it—Real Book is/was core of my trio's repertoire. Hope you find it as fun as I do!

(It gets more fun when you dig into 3/4, 5/4, 6/8...)
 
#11
Papageno said:
Arpeggios are a very important aspect of walking but, by far, not the only approach.

If you are interested in digging deeper on the topic, I suggest you to check the tutorials posted on YouTube by Chris Fitzgerald. This is pure gold.
Click to expand...

I have a teacher with a solid Jazz and double bass background. I am giving myself a year to become conversant of competent as a walking bassist.
 
#12
When I first picked up the bass I took the Chord Tones Course online with Mark Smith. Beginning this year I am studying online with Tomazz at walkingbasslines.com. Both of them are excellent teachers, and the course with Tomazz is free.
 
#15
I'm a young old man, with aspirations of becoming a proficient progressive metal bassist. However, I haven't fully committed to starting (and don't have a thread on it yet) but this caught my eye (mainly b/c you posted it, @Dr. Cheese) and I really enjoyed listening to that song. Makes me want to go explore this more, and some of the other suggestions others have posted.

That said, thanks for the inspiration!

Raz
 
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#16
Dr. Cheese said:


As an old man, I have decided to become a proficient walking bassist. My teacher had me try out Freddie Freeloader since everything in the song is a dominant 7th chord. That allowed me to pretty much use one pattern. I am not playing Jimmie Garrison’s part but I am repeating pattern for the different chords. The song is very much a Blues, so it feels familiar.
Click to expand...


Very nice! The only thing I'd request as a listener is a little more variety. Think about doing a different line for each soloist and using more of the fingerboard. Otherwise, you're already a "proficient walking bassist." Thanks very much for this.
 
#17
I've also had the same wish, but my motivation has not been sufficient. I made it to the arpeggio section in the Bass Whisperer's book. I think I mostly need practice, but haven't found what I need. There are charts with accompaniment on youtube, but I somehow can't find the ones I really liked...

It would sure help if I could read better! Seems like it would help if I needed to learn for something in particular.
 
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#18
KJMO said:
I've also had the same wish, but my motivation has not been sufficient. I made it to the arpeggio section in the Bass Whisperer's book. I think I mostly need practice, but haven't found what I need. There are charts with accompaniment on youtube, but I somehow can't find the ones I really liked...

It would sure help if I could read better! Seems like it would help if I needed to learn for something in particular.
Click to expand...

My reading is much less than stellar, but actually doing it is the thing that will make you better.
 
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#19
BobDeRosa said:
Very nice! The only thing I'd request as a listener is a little more variety. Think about doing a different line for each soloist and using more of the fingerboard. Otherwise, you're already a "proficient walking bassist." Thanks very much for this.
Click to expand...

The point of the excel use was to get a handle on the135 then 876 pattern of spelling the chord plus the octave and a passing tone.
 
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