Ok, so this is a very simple way to play a walking bassline, but you do actually use the things Im showing you here in more complicated walking lines: going from a two-feel to a four-feel, I-VI-II-Vs (one, six, two, five), and fifths (think power chords!).
Note: I say “down a fifth” several times in this video. I should be saying “down TO THE fifth,” referring to the scale tone, not the interval.
I had a teacher who tried to teach me how to play a walking bassline once upon a time, and it was awful. His method was well, he didnt really have a method. He just told me to Go ahead and play a walking bassline over a blues. Needless to say, I didnt get very far.
Over the next few lessons regarding this topic, I plan on adding new elements to your walking lines piece by piece, so that you wont fall flat on your face like I did. I think its better to play simply and confidently, then to try too much at once. With that being said, it is important to push yourself beyond what you feel confident playing, but you dont want to over do it and get discouraged.
Why learn how to play walking basslines? Well, itll force you to know your way around the fretboard. Youll figure out how to play different patterns (scales, arpeggios, etc.) in different places on your bass, which is a good thing. Itll help with your improvisational skills as well, because thats what jazz is all about!
www.michaeljohnadams.com/blog
Duration : 0:4:53
Related posts: