Constructing Walking Basslines

[jake plays guitar]

Im usually a 6 string player but on ocasion i like to feel the groove of the bass. i play bass in school conert band. but i was wondering how to create good walking basslines. i have a bit of theory knowledge. im theory level 2. not that much but i know my basics of keys, scales, chords and what not. i realize your suppose to make up the walk while playing but for now id just like to be able to write it out.

[White_Summer]

making up a walk on the spot isnt really that easy. takes years to get that good. there was a few threads on this. usually you want a chord tone on beats 1 and 3. other that that play what you want basically

[jake plays guitar]

thanks the usful info

[White_Summer]

also, you want a transitional note from chord to chord, like from a C to a F play a F# gives that uneasy feeling and then resolves once you reach F

[jake plays guitar]

you seem to really know your stuff. i like that.

[jake plays guitar]

wait one question would a Cmin7/F be considered a C chord or an F chord

[White_Summer]

i would say F but i am tired and i dont like to think when i am tired, because the C is the natural minor to F and therefor its Basically chord #1 in the progression...i think

[Convectuoso]

www.wheatsbassbook.com

I think that's the link if not... www.google.com

it has a nice section on walking bass lines and their construction.

[bbbbass]

wait one question would a Cmin7/F be considered a C chord or an F chord

It is a Cmin 7th with an "f" added--play c-eb-g-b-f. They are known as slash chords.

[White_Summer]

It is a Cmin 7th with an "f" added--play c-eb-g-b-f. They are known as slash chords.
tru but if you were looking at a chord progression in a piece, you would consider it #1 in the progression unless i have my minors mixed up

[DKDK]

well
i actually think its quite easy
i just kind of go up and down and up and down and goofy little changes and fills everywhere

but i know nothing about theory

[bbbbass]

tru but if you were looking at a chord progression in a piece, you would consider it #1 in the progression unless i have my minors mixed up

Depending on the progression...

[Soulfly666]

I find this to be quite helpful. :)

http://www.petethomas.co.uk/jazz-bass.html

[basgitarist]

nice sites :thumb:

[funkyhoney]

im by far no expert but my teacher and i studied walknig bass for two lessons and the most important thing i picked up was that if two bars are in a differant chord finished the fist bar wiht a note that is a semitone above or below the first note of the 2nd bar eg:
C G
g|----------1-|-0---------|
d|----5--2----|---3--5----|
a|-3----------|---------2-|
e|------------|-----------|

umm, hope you can understand that. oh and it doesnt HAVE to be that way, but generally it will amke it sound better

[Caleb3221]

There are 3 basic methods of constructing walking lines:
roots/5ths
arpeggios
scales

When you are first getting started, you might just try playing roots and fifths, mabye with chromatic passing notes to make it more interesting. Then, as you get better, you can go to arpegios, which make a nice quarter note feel(r 3 5 passing r 3 5 passing)(I tend to do a chromatic passing note a half step above or below the next root). And, of course, if it's a minor chord, flat the third, or sharp the fifth if you need to, or whatever the chord calls for. You could also get into scalar playing, which you pretty much have to figure out for yourself.