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Walking basslines?

L

LiF

May 11, 2008
217
2
Melbourne, Australia
#1
I need some tips.

I have a gig with a swing band. They do various things. Most of it is okay(standard soul sort of stuff) but I am really struggling with the walking lines. It is all scored in standard music notation, but because there is no "riff" as such, I'm finding it difficult to remember what to play. My reading is not great, I can't sight read, although getting better with this gig. There is nothing to hum in my head if that makes sense.

I guess it is just a case of practice, practice, practice but if anyone has any tips or hints I would be very grateful.
 
#5
Yes, lines written out. I have to play them exactly as written. Also most charts also have the chords.

No, I rarely listen to walking basslines.

I posted this on another forum and the message is essentially knuckle down and learn the lines. No secret. No easy method.
 
#6
LiF said:
I have a gig with a swing band. I am really struggling with the walking lines. It is all scored in standard music notation. I have to play them exactly as written. My reading is not great, I can't sight read. I rarely listen to walking basslines.
Click to expand...


LiF said:
I posted this on another forum and the message is essentially knuckle down and learn the lines. No secret. No easy method.

I guess it is just a case of practice, practice, practice.
Click to expand...


The classic self-answer.

Some very general advice: I would suggest enlisting a teacher for something as huge as learning how to read. Also the more music theory (jazz theory is it's own animal in some ways) you study, the easier it will be to analyze the music in terms of what's happening, and the easier it will be to read, hear, and play.
 
#7
LiF said:
...knuckle down and learn the lines. No secret. No easy method.
Click to expand...

That's the truth. However, there are a couple of "bailout" things you can do if you get lost reading the notes. You can always look at the chord symbol and just play R-3-5-7, or even R-5-R-5. You can also walk up chromatically to the root of the next chord. For example, if you're going from Dmin7 to G7 (one measure each), you can play D on beat one of the Dmin7 measure and then play E-F-F# on beast 2, 3 and 4, leading naturally to G on beat one of the G7 measure.

You probably won't get away with doing that all night, but it will get you through a measure or two while you catch up and start reading the notes again.

Good luck!
 
#9
Since the charts have chord symbols, you've got a lot of useful material right there -- a study of harmony in each measure. Play the chords in arpeggio form over, say, a four bar section. Now play the written line for the same section. Of course this isn't formal theory study, but it will help program your brain with a sense of forming a bass line along changes.

For listening, Ray Brown. His playing was simple and direct. If you get one or two fake books, you have a chance of finding recorded tunes that you can follow in the books. Another way to get the hang of jazz changes.

These exercises will also boost your reading. Somebody has handed you the key to the gold mine by giving you a chance to learn how to sight read. Make as much of it as possible while you can.
 
#11
Coming from the Big Band school here is my advice for now:
During the tune, when brass are playing read the bassline because most of the time (depending on the arranger) the bass notes and rhythms fits the arrangement. During solos sections then try to strech out from the written bass line.

Good luck, for me my Big Bands period was the most formative of all to get my reading,time and dynamics top notch,

Sly
 

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