In this lesson I’m providing you with a simple walking bass line through a 12 bar blues progression in a jazz blues style
What Is A Walking Bass Line?
A walking bass line is simply a melodic bass line found mainly in jazz and blues styles in which you ‘walk’ around in quarter notes connecting the chords.
We can create a walking bass line over the following twelve-bar blues chord progression:
Instead of having a few different things to try in this lesson, we are going to learn a written bass line around those twelve bars. This way, you can practice getting used to the sound and the style without having to worry too much about coming up with the notes on the spot. Work through the following bass line and analyse the note choices – this will help you come up with your own lines in the future.
Quick Analysis
Bar 1: Starts on the root of C and walks down the C Mixolydian scale to F.
Bar 2: Approaches the C in bar 3 chromatically from A.
Bar 3: Walks up the C7 arpeggio and comes back down the scale to F.
Bar 5 – 6: Descends F7 and walks up to C chromatically.
Bar 7 – 8: Walks through the notes of C7 with chromatic tones filling the gaps.
Bar 9: Uses the tones of G7 to lead into F.
Bar 10: Walks chromatically down to C.
Bar 9: Leads back to C chromatically from G.
Here is the TAB/notation for all of the arpeggios and scales we have used in this lesson:
hey mark great lesson as ussual, could you add the backing track in the rar file for downloading
dear regards
Great lesson Mark. Your always inspiring and you explain things so easily. I love this site. Good on ya
yassssss
hi mark I am a new member and going trough your courses it’s very informative thank you very much for all the lesson I have been fallowing you on your blues lesson great again thank you
I have been learning a cool blues I found on a sheet music its derived from the blues piano classic blues after hour hours great exercise
thank you Eric Young
i love your meal metaphor! what’s for dessert?
Great explanations and since I’m taking a breather from trying to learn jazz on guitar, this feels familiar and totally do-able.
Mark, you are the Greatest.
Lesson cooked well with arpegios, scales and chromatics, Mark :)
Great, as usual. I’m learning a lot of small and very important things, thanks to you. The way you put things makes the learning so clear and easy.
Hey Dude! Good job! Thanks to you I’ll be moving first steps to play bass in a correct way!! keep on walkin’!!!
Thanks Mark, walking was always something mysterious to me, but you’ve opened the door to a new world.
I am already loving your lessons even within the first 10 minutes into one of your online tutorials. Your approach is refreshing, riveting and captivating. I can learn for hours and hours to be honest if i have all the time in the world! Thank you Mark. Do keep up with the exellent work!
Dear Mr. Mark I would like received from you the, backing track file for downloading.
Best regards,
Nelson.
E-mail: [email protected]
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Great stuff! I enjoy your teaching style. Do you have a course specifically for walking blues bass that would include two octave walks? I play predominantly 1-4-5’s in my blues band and would love to spruce up my playing…don’t mind paying, you’re earning it! Thx, [email protected]
How do I get in
Hi there; thanks so much for the lesson. I can’t find a link to download the PDF nor the backing tracks – could you point me in the right direction?
Thanks.
David
Many thanks Mark. The doors are opened, and I’ve just entered. Long retired guy, played a lot of blues, and wished I had gotten into the ”blues with a jazz twist way back then. I appreciate you passing on your knowledge, it is very helpful.
With Respect,
Murray
Great lesson as usual!
Just like David Ross I cannot find a link to the downloadable PDF or practice track. Help !
Just like David Ross and Brian Lewis I cannot find a link to the downloadable PDF or practice track. Help !