How to Walk a Bass Line

Walking bass lines can be played on any type of bass.

Walking bass lines are so named because they tend to have the feel of a casual walk. Walking bass lines are rather simple in structure and can be played with very little practice. Walking bass lines are found in music ranging from rock, country and bluegrass to blues and jazz. Walking bass lines, for all their simplicity, can add a layer of tonal texture to any song you play and make you sound like a professional bassist while you're playing.

Things You'll Need

• Bass
• Major scale chart

Instructions

1. Find the first, third and fifth notes of the chord you want to play a walking bass line against. Walking bass lines can use other notes, but sticking with the chord tones ensures you're playing something that will fit. Major chords are built from the the first, third and fifth notes of the related major scale, so a C chord would use the first, third and fifth notes from the C major scale. Over a C major chord, you would choose the notes C-E-G to form your walking pattern. As the chords change in a song, you switch to the first, third and fifth notes appropriate to the chord you're playing over. You can find a major scale chart at no charge online that will allow you to easily find the appropriate notes (see Resources).

2. Establish your walking rhythm. A walking bass line can use any note value, but the same value is almost always used for every note. This helps establish and maintain the "walking" feel. Quarter notes are usually used, but eighth notes work well also.

3. Play the walking bass line steady and keep the notes even. Timing is what gives the walking bass line its characteristic sound. If you are playing strict quarter notes, for instance, practice counting one, two, three, four with one count for each quarter note. This will help you develop the timing you need to play a tight (well-timed) walking bass line.

4. Add passing tones and extended tones for tonal variation. A passing tone is a note that doesn't belong in the chord you're playing against. Be cautious when using a passing tone; don't use too many. Other tones you can play are the extended notes in chords. The seventh note in a seventh chord, the ninth in a ninth chord, just to reinforce the overall chord tone.

References

• MalletJazz: Construction Walking Bass Lines
• Active Musician: Walking Bass Lines

Resources

• Cyberfret Bass: Scales for Bass Players